The Item You Should Sell Before Retirement To Make Extra Money (And Save Space)

With people focused on getting rid of common household items before retirement, something you shouldn't overlook is your old work clothes. Whether you've spent years in a uniform you won't be wearing anymore, or you've got a closet full of suits made by luxury brands you've spent too much money on, there's no reason to hold on to the past. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), 78% of workers shared concern over the impact of inflation on their retirement savings in 2024. Thinking about different ways to add more money to your savings, like selling your old unneeded clothing, may help tick your confidence meter up a notch. It also leaves extra room in your closet for clothing more suited to your new retirement lifestyle.

According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data last updated October 2025, 11.3 million metric tons of textiles were dumped into landfills in the U.S. in 2018, with another 3.2 million metric tons going up in smoke after incineration through combustion with energy. Out of 17 million metric tons of textiles produced in 2018 — which includes clothing — just 2.5 million metric tons were recycled. Not selling your old clothes adds up to a loss for your bank account and the environment. The Boston Consulting Group estimates this waste contributes to a global loss of $150 billion per year. 

If you've been following one sartorial rule many successful people follow, it may mean you have a lot of the same work clothes in your closet. Psychologically speaking, this should make it easier to do away with what you no longer need, while earning money for popular brands through sites like Poshmark. An online store like Bonanza also does the job of presenting your wares to the world with a low $0.25 transaction fee followed by an 11% final fee for anything under $4,000. That seems pretty fair by comparison to the aforementioned Poshmark's flat fee of $2.95 for anything sold under $15, and a 20% commission on anything $15 or more.

On blog Slow Notion, one clothes reseller detailed how using four different apps — Poshmark, Mercari, Vinted, and Depop — helped her to earn a total $2,189 on the sale of 171 items of clothing between December 2020 and November 2021. According to the seller, the best way to save time, after taking photos and writing descriptions for your items, is to use any number of apps to sell your clothes. Consider enlisting the aid of a consignment store to do the work for you like ThredUp for more common items, or if you own older luxury brands with incredible resale value, TheRealReal. Whatever you're unable to sell, you can donate for a tax deduction.