7 Household Items You Should Never Throw Away (They'll Save You Money Later)

Spring cleaning is an annual rite of passage across the globe, and it can feel really good to discard and donate everything in sight. Sometimes, though, you end up getting rid of something and regretting it later, either because of the item's inherent practicality or it was surprisingly valuable. Whether tidying the kitchen, sprucing up the bedroom, or fully organizing the garage, experts recommend keeping these household items instead of tossing them. 

Boxes and Containers

If there's one thing professional organizers know for certain, it's that you can always dream up a practical use for a bin, basket, container, or jar. From toy storage to gardening supplies to seasonal storage, they're reliably needed. 

“Don't jettison those baskets, chic little boxes, vintage tins, and odd containers,” says Erika Salloux, a certified professional organizer and CEO of Living Harmony. “After you've sorted and purged, go raiding your own stash. You'll containerize like a pro, and your wallet will thank you later. The perfect organizer was hiding in your home all along!”

Bags and Totes

Similarly, reusable bags and totes often come in handy for everything from grocery trips to gym class to packing for a weekend road trip. “Reusable bags are easy to toss during spring cleaning, but keeping them can save you money over time,” says Gillian Economou, a professional organizer in Washington, D.C. “Also, any grocery stores charge for bags now, and those small costs add up quickly. Having your own bags on hand means you avoid those fees and don't need to keep buying new ones.” 

Old or Broken Jewelry

Some of the biggest money mistakes happen when organizing your jewelry boxes, drawers, and bedside tables, notes Jonathan Pratt, managing director of Dawsons Auctioneers. Potentially valuable pieces—including vintage rings, bracelets, brooches, and chains—are either donated or accidentally discarded, so be on the lookout. 

If it's made from real gold or silver, it's likely worth holding onto. Or, if you're ready to part with it, you can sell it to a reputable buyer for the metal or gemstone value. Some antique jewelry stores also buy estate pieces. 

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Loose Change

A random quarter here and there may not feel like much, but keeping a little jar of “found” coins can translate to a nice chunk of cash. “Loose coins are easy to toss during spring cleaning, but they add up over time,” Economou says. “Keeping them in a jar gives you extra cash for small purchases or something you can roll and deposit later. It's a simple way to make use of the money you already have.” You can take your coins to the bank or a coin-counting machine for a nice payout. 

Gifting Supplies

There's always another birthday, anniversary, or celebration around the corner, which often calls for gifting. These supplies aren't exorbitant, but a tube of wrapping paper or gift bag and tissue paper can easily run you $5 to $10 each. Keep these gifting supplies on hand to save money and time in the future. You can organize them into a bin or a specific gift wrap organizer along with other necessary items like scissors, tape, and gift tags. 

Electrical Cords

While you don't need to save every single cord you come across in your cleanup, saving one or two of each kind of cord does make sense. In our digital age, we tend to buy these in bulk and lose them periodically, so you're apt to come across a handful while organizing. 

Instead of tossing them, keep a container full of extra charging cords, adapters, power strips, and extension cords neatly wrapped and clearly labeled. This will definitely save you some “low battery” headaches in the future and prevent unnecessary purchases. 

Vintage Goods

In our ever-increasingly mass-produced world, quality vintage pieces are more valuable than ever. From furniture to vases to kitchen bowls to knickknacks, vintage goods are interior design treasures, and their quality often holds up longer than new purchases. 

Some are also surprisingly valuable, Pratt notes. He says antique furniture, decorative art, ceramics, glassware, and even old clocks have gone from dusty storage to auction rooms, garnering hundreds or thousands of dollars.