We all have at least one junk drawer stuffed with a random mix of things: old phone chargers, birthday cards, leftover batteries, and useless tech. But hidden inside that mess, you might have something incredibly valuable. Experts now say certain items from 2007 could fetch $50,000 or more, turning your clutter into cash.
Adam Koprucki, founder of Real World Investor, recently spoke to the New York Post about how many people throw away things that could pay for their future. He predicts that by 2030, some everyday items could surpass stock market returns.
One infamous example is the man who lost over $500 million by discarding a hard drive containing Bitcoin. If you have a drawer full of old phones, especially the original iPhone launched in 2007, you might have a real treasure. These phones were sold for $499 when new but sealed, they now fetch prices above $20,000. Koprucki says they might hit $50,000 or more within the next few years.
This isn’t just a guess — in 2023, a factory-sealed 8GB original iPhone went for more than $63,000, and an even rarer 4GB version sold for nearly $190,000. Valuable collectibles also include first-edition books, vintage video games, and classic toys like Star Wars or Pokémon cards. The Transformers toys from the 1980s, if kept in perfect condition, can be worth up to $20,000 each.
For example, early editions of Harry Potter books now reach over $50,000, and sealed copies of games like Super Mario Bros. have sold for millions. Koprucki recommends having valuables appraised before selling to avoid underselling rare collectibles.
