50 Things From the ‘90s That Could Make You Rich Today
50 Things From the ‘90s That Could Make You Rich Today
Please book a flight home and prepare to spend the next several days rummaging around your parents’ basement, because all that random stuff you owned in the ’90s? Yeah, it’s about make you rich. You know, unless your mom threw it all out, in which case UGH, MOM. Beanie Babies, Pokémon cards, and even old video game cartridges are worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars these days. In other words: nostalgia, but make it rich.
Original Furby
Furby was one of the most annoying toys to come out of the ’90s, and in a cruel twist of fate, they’re now somehow worth almost $1k. Like...why would anyone buy this? I NEED ANSWERS.
Old ‘Harry Potter‘ Books
If you own an original Harry Potter book, you could be looking at major $. Hardcover first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (aka the English Version) with the print line “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" are worth up to $55,000, while Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (aka the American version) is worth up to $6,500 if it has the print line “1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 8 9/9 0/0 01 02” on the copyright page. I’ll give you a moment to look at your copy.
Your Old Playmobile Toys
The price-point of these really depends on whether you bothered to keep the old box and instructions (probably not unless your mom was super extra) and if you managed not to lose the pieces (HAH, as if). But if you did treat your Playmobile like gold, good job: You’ve quite literally earned it. This Victorian mansion sold for almost $400, while Knight’s Castles go for around the same.
Peace Beanie Baby
HAHAHAHA remember Beanie Babies? Yeah, I wish I didn’t either. But a few of them are worth some money. These peace-loving dudes run up to $80 a bear. But wait, there’s more...
Claud the Crab
There are legit people trying (and succeeding?) to sell Claud the Crab for $100,000 on eBay. IDEK what to say. Guess now is a good time to recite Claud’s poem: “Claude the crab paints by the sea; a famous artist he hopes to be; but the tide came in and his paints fell; Now his art is on his shell!”
Princess Di Bear
This bear was touted as being super rare from the very beginning, and honestly prices vary. But some people are out here trying to sell it for $10k. You could be that person!
Bubbles
To be honest, I’d pay any amount of money to own Bubbles. Except maybe not $129,000, which is how much he’s selling for on eBay, womp.
Patti the Platypus
Sorry, we’re not done with Beanie Babies yet. Pattis, like this one here, are selling for up to $20,000. Which seems...deranged.
Pogs
Okay, let’s be real. Most Pogs are worthless. These Pogs, however, were for sale on eBay for a million dollars. IDK if the internet is pranking us or what, but there you have it.
Jeweled Splendor Barbie
Come through Barbie! Jeweled Splendor was released in 1996 for the FAO Schwarz Floral Signature Collection, and nowadays it sells for around $150. Unless you shaved her hair off like I did, in which case she’s...worthless.
Pink Splendor Barbie
Pink Splendor is a limited-edition Barbie who blessed us with whatever TF this outfit is in the late ’90s. If you made your poor, long-suffering mother buy this for you *and* she kept it, good news: It’s worth $1,000.
Polly Pockets
I know, I know. The chances that any of us still have complete Polly Pocket sets are slim. But if you *do,* they’re worth up to a couple hundred bucks a pop, which isn’t too shabby for a hunk of plastic.
Polly Pocket Pencil Case
Anyone have one of these lying around? ’Cause it’s worth $795 if ya do!!!!
Spice Cam
I am honestly furious about the fact that I never owned a Spice Cam. If you too are furious, buy it on eBay for $115.
Holographic Shadowless First Edition Charizard
Did you live that Pokémon life in the ’90s? Hope you kept your card collection, because there are some super rare gems worth a ton—starting with this Charizard. Get ready, because he goes for anywhere from $32,999.99 to $74,999.95. Which is a lot for a literal piece of paper.
Promotional Kangaskhan
Oh, look—another small piece of paper from the ’90s worth more than a car. Specifically, up to $96,346.05 on eBay.
*cuts to me cursing the day I threw out my Pokémon cards*
1995 Charizard Holofoil
This Pokémon card is worth pennies compared to the others on this list. And by that, I mean it’s worth $10k, which will pay for your pizza takeout for at least a couple of years.
Black Lotus Magic Card
Timetwister Magic Card
Kay, so this one isn’t going to make you rich, but it goes for about $2,500 on eBay which is not! too! shabby!
Baby All Gone
If you were given this as a child, first of all, I’m sorry. But it’s worth about $90 now, so at least it hasn’t been haunting your nightmares for nothing!
Masters of the Universe Dolls
Remember Masters of the Universe dolls? Or Masters of the Universe action figures, as insecure bros might call ’em? Well, they’re worth a couple hundred bucks a pop, so don’t let your mom throw yours out during her Marie Kondo phase.
Old Atari Games
Vintage Atari cartridges vary in price, but if you have a bunch lying around your basement, you might want to round them up and pop them on eBay. Individual games can sell for up to $200 depending on rarity, and collections can get up to ~$500.
Gremlins 2 Gizmo Doll
Furby can GTFO because I stan this Gremlins 2 doll for the much more reasonable price of $219.99.
Original Digimon
The late ’90s introduced us to the wonder of virtual pets, many of which I killed within several hours. Chances are, you didn’t hold on to your Digimon, but if you *did,* he could be worth about $205. A pretty steep upgrade considering these things cost, like, $5 at Walgreens.
Goosebumps Board Game
If you’re one of the few people who bought this and actually held onto it, nice work: it’s worth more than a hundred bucks.
It From the Pit
Speaking of random board games you don’t remember existing but possibly owned, let’s talk about It From the Pit. It’s worth $300 so time to do a deep dive into your family game closet, ugh.
Zelda Mini Nintendo Classic
Nintendo mini classics were the bomb, and Zelda freakin’ ruled. You probably paid about $20 for this in 1998, but it’s worth around $600 now so...bye!
Smurfs Mini Nintendo Classic
Mini classic keychain games also bring in a decent amount of money these days. This one from 1999 is selling for $541.96.
Molly American Girl Doll
I am *praying* you kept your Molly doll in good condition because she’s worth a whole lot. This girl (plus accessories) can run up to $1,800, with some sellers aiming even higher at around $4,000 depending on the doll’s condition. Tragically, my Molly doll has been through it and is probs worth about $1.
Samantha American Girl Doll
That’s right, Molly isn't the only American Girl Doll on this list bringing in bank. If your mom made you keep Samantha in solid condition, she could be worth more than $1,000 now.
Garbage Pail Kids Cards
Fine, Garbage Pail Kids cards were more ’80s than ’90s, but if you had an older sibling, chances are they were hanging around your house so now it’s time to get! that! money! According to Gizmodo, full sets sell from $600 to $700, and some of the rarer cards go for $4,250.
Baseball Cards
Prices on these things are varied AF, but this 1991 Mike Mussina card (she said with authority, as though she knows who this person is) sells for about $200.
LEGO C3PO
This cute little LEGO C3PO is the most expensive piece of plastic you (hopefully) own. He’s suuuuuper rare due to the limited amount made and reportedly worth $3,200.
Little Samson
Attention: video game nerds. Your copy of 1992’s Little Samson is worth almost $800, so tell that to the next person who side-eyes you for keeping it under your bed all these years.
Panic Restaurant
1992’s Panic Restaurant basically involves fighting off evil chickens and pizzas. And now it’s worth around $500. Although I’d like to just make it clear that obviously there is no such thing as an evil pizza.
Home Alone 2 Talkboy
I never owned one of these, but if you did, I will seriously consider buying it from you for $999.99. Kidding, but only kinda.
Disney VHS Tapes
The “black diamond” VHS versions of classic movies like Beauty and the Beast are notoriously rare and sell for SO MUCH MONEY. In fact, there’s a bundle on eBay right now going for $150k. I swear to god, my parents better have kept these.
Vintage Super Soaker
Please cast your mind back to when your evil older brother tormented you with his Super Soaker. Don’t tell him, but that thing will sell for more than $400 if you can find it before he does at your parents’ house. The ultimate revenge.
Bop-It
IDK why you’d ever want to sell such an iconic game, but if you are looking to ditch your Bop-It Extreme, you can get, like, $150 for it online.
Little Mermaid Burger King Cups
Remember when Burger King toys were actually decent? For a while, they were selling these adorable Little Mermaid cups, which are now going for about $100—or in layman’s terms, the price of 100 burgers.
Hot Wheels Funny Car
Chances are there are at least a dozen Hot Wheels cars hiding in random corners of your family home, and if you own a Funny Car, you’re in major luck: they’re worth more than $2,000.
The New Mutants
Comic books are notoriously collectible, and the ’90s had quite a few covetable issues. The New Mutants #98 can get you up to $7,500.
Bone
Meanwhile, the first issue of Bone is worth up to $3,200—so dive into your bookshelf ASAP.
Keywood
Only real nerds owned this game (hi, me), and if you kept yours (hi, not me), it could be worth $60.
Omega Supreme Transformer
TFW you realize your sibling’s annoying Transformer is worth $2,000 and you don’t own it: ??
McDonald's Changeables
Move TF over Burger King, because McDonald’s also had some cool gifts that are now worth way more than a Happy Meal. Changeables sell for varying amounts on eBay, but if you get a group of them together, you can collect almost $100.
McDonald’s Halloween Happy Meal
The only thing scary about these Halloween buckets is that they go for $80 a collection and I didn’t freakin’ keep mine.
*Frantically searches for Pogs*