Make big money from old toys!

Have you heard of a growing trend known as 'retrocycling'?

Retrocycling is when parents whose grown-up children have left home recycle their kids' unwanted belongings for cash. In effect, retrocycling is a kind of 'reverse inheritance', with some parents finding small fortunes lurking within their homes.

Cash in your attic

Rather than babysitting their grown-up children's belongings, parents should cash in on old Christmas presents to boost New Year bank balances, says a new survey from Lloyds TSB Insurance.

Last August, pollsters ICM interviewed 1,106 parents who have had at least one child leave home. This research for Lloyds found that nearly three-quarters (73%) of parents are left looking after their children's possessions after their offspring have flown the nest.

Remarkably, although some of these items have languished untouched for up to 20 years, they could be worth an average of £735 per household. Lloyds TSB Insurance calculated this figure using eBay Buy Now prices for 'retro classics' including Furby soft toys and bendy game Twister.

What's more, over a quarter of parents are not aware of the value of this clutter lurking in lofts, attics, spare bedrooms, garages, sheds and cupboards.

Cashing in on clutter

Of course, retrocycling old goods to raise cash also releases extra living and storage space, helping to makes homes more comfortable. This makes it a win-win strategy all-round -- especially if parents split the profits with their grown-up offspring.

So, what sort of items can parents sell to raise much-needed cash for themselves and their adult children? Here are some of the UK's most popular 'retrocyclables', in lists put together by Lloyds TSB Insurance with the help of the UK's Toy Retailers Association and popular eBay listings:

1. Top toys

2. Popular books

3. Classic clothing

4. Eighties music

5. Sports and hobbies equipment

6. Gadgets and consoles

Of course, while you might not find any of the 17 items listed above in your home, you may find several items that can be sold to eager collectors for prices upwards of £20. Therefore, tracking down old and unwanted toys, books, gadgets and clothes could produce a tidy windfall for you and your family.

Profiting from the past

Another benefit of 'de-cluttering' through retrocycling is clearing the cobwebs of the past to make way for a brighter future.

To encourage this mental boost, Dr Kairen Cullen, chartered educational psychologist, says: "Hoarding items for longer than required could be a sign of a bigger issue, yet ignoring the problem for another year is rarely the best way to address the situation."

Dr Cullen adds, "People can hold on to objects that give them a sense of safety and well-being. Taking steps to clear out unnecessary items can help us start the New Year with a new sense of purpose, while benefiting from the positive feelings associated with finding items a better home and starting afresh."

Memories and memorabilia

To find out more, I asked Paul Fraser (owner of Paul Fraser Collectibles and well-known high-end collector and dealer) which surprisingly valuable items may be lurking in British family homes.

Fraser replied, "The toys that we loved so dearly as children now make for some of the most valuable collectibles. Nostalgia plays a huge role in collecting and those toys left to gather dust could now be worth a pretty penny."

"That box of old Star Wars figures clogging up your attic space could provide a decent contribution to your pension, depending on how heavy handed you or your children were! The 1978 Kenner telescoping Darth Vader figure is the most sought after and is worth up to $7,000 today in good condition."

"My Little Pony toys have now developed something of a cult following and limited-edition figures such as the first generation Rapunzel sell for around $400. For those whose offspring have yet to leave home, make sure you see that their Harry Potter books don't get too damaged. Hardback first editions are already commanding bids in the region of $15,000 to $20,000 at auction."

"Forget about those Beanie Babies though; what may have sold for hundreds a decade ago is unlikely to see double figures at auction now."

Now, where did my parents stash my old Commodore 64 computer when I left home in the Eighties? It appears to be worth a pretty penny these days!

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