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Think about that piece of Tupperware you’ve owned since the 1970s, or that old T-shirt you bought at a rock concert 30 years ago — would you believe they could be worth a fortune to the right buyer? Niche resale markets exist for everything from vintage apparel to classic cookware and old electronics. Many people may be shocked to learn their grandmother’s cookie jar, for instance, may be a highly sought-after collectible with far more than just sentimental value. Keep reading to find out whether you own any of these 10 surprisingly valuable ordinary items. It’s quite possible you do!

Vintage T-Shirts

Vintage tees are among the most desirable secondhand items, especially if they’re tied to a popular musical act, major sporting event, or widely recognized brand. Shirts with logos of icons such as the Rolling Stones or the New York Yankees, for example, are bound to be hot sellers. Of course, as with any used item, condition is key, and shirts in pristine shape are more likely to net big bucks than clothes with holes or tears.

If you have any vintage tees sitting in your closet, it may be worth listing them on eBay, where used merch regularly sells for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In fact, according to a Defunkd recap of the most expensive tees sold on eBay in 2024, a 1988 Harley-Davidson shirt sold for $13,500, while many other concert tees from various ’90s rock acts sold for several thousand apiece.

Cookie Jars

While the cookies inside an old ceramic cookie jar may be rich in sugar, the jars themselves are often rich in value thanks to their nostalgic appeal. High-quality jars made in the early to mid-20th century often command hundreds of dollars on the secondary market.

For instance, eBay sales for a 1940s Hull Pottery Little Red Riding Hood jar regularly exceed $100, which is a fine payday for something that may otherwise be gathering dust. But there are also some exceedingly rare jars, such as an Alice in Wonderland model from the 1950s, which sold for a staggering $2,300 in March 2025.

As you can see, cookie jarvalues  vary widely, depending on several factors. Condition makes a difference, as superficial chips and cracks can negatively affect value. Additionally, popular characters (such as Alice and Little Red Riding Hood) are typically worth more than generic designs. And you should always examine the bottom of your jar for a maker’s mark, which can help determine the object’s authenticity and boost the overall price. As you would imagine, replicas or recreations of genuine vintage jars aren’t worth as much.

Classic Cameras

Though not all vintage cameras are valuable, some brands often fetch a substantial amount on the resale market, especially models that are still in working condition. Cameras with old film rolls are particularly desirable, as you won’t find many modern cameras that still use film — which many photographers consider to be a superior quality than digital.

Leica is one particular brand to look out for. When it debuted in 1925, the Leica 1 was the first commercially available 35mm camera. This made Leica a particularly popular brand, as evidenced by its enduring value to this day. Take, for example, a Leica M2, which was manufactured from 1957 to 1967. Nowadays, an old Leica M2 model sells for as little as $5,000 in average condition and up to $12,500 in mint condition. If you think you may have a valuable camera of your own, head to CollectiBlend to check what it might be worth, or visit a local antique shop to find out more information.

Vinyl Records

When it comes to vinyl records, many people mistake age for value. Just because a record was pressed in the 1950s doesn’t make it intrinsically valuable, especially if it was recorded by a less popular artist. However, some vinyl records can be worth a small fortune if they meet certain criteria, such as being a limited edition pressing from a major artist. 

As with all other antiques, condition is paramount. Vinyl collectors are willing to fork over more money if the record sounds good and the packaging contains all the original inserts — even better if you happen to have an album in its original shrinkwrap, as people will pay a premium for that pristine quality.

If you think you may have some valuable vinyl records, websites such as Discogs can help determine their resale value, or you can head to a local vinyl store to speak with someone more knowledgeable. You could luck into something extremely valuable, such as an original pressing of 1962’s Introducing… The Beatles, which once sold for $10,000. 

VHS Tapes

When was the last time you used a VHS tape? It’s probably been a while, but if you’ve kept your tapes stored in a secure, temperature-controlled location, you may be in luck. Despite the fact that VHS and VCR technology is effectively obsolete, some old tapes are sought after by collectors. This is especially true for Disney lovers, who are willing to pay $50 to $300 for old home releases that are still in decent condition.

If you happen to have a VHS tape still in its original shrinkwrap, you could be sitting on a small fortune. People are willing to pay a premium for unopened tapes and will shell out even more if the tape has been authenticated and graded by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), one of the foremost VHS authenticators. Some examples of the most valuable VHS collectibles include an original Star Wars tape that sold for $114,000 in 2022 and a Back to the Future tape that fetched $75,000 the same year.

Old Sports Cards

The sports card industry is now thriving and can prove to be a profitable hobby; copies of LeBron James rookie cards, for example, can garner hundreds of thousands of dollars. But decades ago, collecting cards was a hobby common among children who would shell out a quarter for some baseball cards and a stick of bubblegum. And if you’re still holding on to any of those old cards, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn how much they’re worth in today’s booming market.

This is especially true if the card is in good condition (no tears or creases) and if it features the likeness of a sporting legend such as Johnny Unitas or Mickey Mantle. One 1952 Mantle rookie card once sold for an incredible $12.6 million. 

Trusted companies including Beckett or third-party sites such as SportsCardsPro are helpful resources for determining the value of these cards. Local card shows are also an excellent place to bring vintage cards, as interested vendors may be willing to offer you cash on the spot — just be sure to conduct some research first to avoid getting ripped off.

Fishing Gear

Old fishing rods, reels, and lures can be surprisingly desirable items, especially if they date to the middle of the 19th century. Take, for instance, one of the most valuable pieces of fishing gear ever sold: a “giant” Haskell minnow lure that was patented in 1859 and that fetched $101,200 at auction. Other vintage lures manufactured throughout the 20th century have also been known to fetch thousands at auction.

But your gear doesn’t have to be antique to be valuable, as newer pieces from more recent decades are also highly sought after. Modern lures and reels regularly sell on eBay for $10 to $20 and up, so selling those items in bulk can amount to a sizable payday. If you own 50 lures you’re looking to sell, for example, that’s potentially $1000 to the right buyer. You may even be lucky enough to own a Jack Charlton Titanium Fly Reel from 1995, which is estimated at a whopping $30,000 in value, as there were only 20 of this highly-sought after titanium model ever made.

Scout Memorabilia

If you were a member of the Boy Scouts of America (now known as Scouting America) or the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A, your old vest and badges could be worth thousands. It can be difficult to part with these sentimental childhood memories, but if you can bear it, some devoted collectors may be willing to pay you handsomely — hundreds to thousands of dollars for the right badges.

Scout Patch Collectors is a helpful online resource where you can learn more about the value of your old scouting memorabilia. It also allows you to buy or sell memorabilia with Jason Spangler, a decades-long collector who claims to have paid as much as $15,000 to purchase peoples’ scouting collections in the past. If you’re extremely lucky, you may possess an exceedingly rare patch, such as the French scout patch from the 1947 World Scout Jamboree, which once sold for $71,000, making it the most expensive patch sold.

Pyrex and Tupperware

Pyrex and Tupperware are two of the most widely recognizable kitchen brands from the 20th century, with Tupperware maintaining a widespread popularity even today. As noted by Martha Stewart, an original four-piece set of Pyrex can sell for as much as $65 — this can amount to several hundred dollars if sold in bulk, which is a great profit if you originally bought the Pyrex back in the 1950s for less than a dollar each. But the real value lies in certain especially coveted designs such as the 1956 Pink Daisy and 1983 Colonial Mist variants, which can sell for $100 to $500 per set, depending on the condition.

It’s also worth noting that people pay more for certain visually striking Pyrex designs, with some rarer models selling for more than $1,000 on eBay as of 2025. Original Tupperware sets may sell for a couple dozen dollars a bowl, which adds up quickly if sold in bulk. This 45-piece set of vintage Tupperware, for instance, sold on eBay for $299 in March 2025.

Christmas Ornaments and Decor

Many families have a tradition of passing down ornaments from generation to generation, meaning a lot of modern Christmas trees are adorned with vintage ornaments originally created long ago. This is good news for anyone who’s kept those ornaments in quality condition, as old ceramic Christmas trees and vintage Hallmark ornaments from the 1970s are among the most in-demand holiday decorations today.

Looking at eBay sales, you’ll find older ceramic Atlantic Mold Christmas trees regularly net several hundred dollars per listing. Vintage Hallmark ornaments from the 1970s can also easily sell for $50 or $60 a pop. Rarer ones can even sell for hundreds apiece, especially if they come boxed in the original packaging. So if you’re hoping to make a few extra bucks for holiday gifts this year, selling off a vintage ornament or two could be the boon you’re looking for.

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When you check into a hotel, you’re not just stepping into a place to sleep — you’re entering a shared space with staff and fellow guests. Hotels work hard to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment, and guests play a role in maintaining a pleasant atmosphere for everyone involved. So before you pack your bags, here are five essential hotel etiquette tips to keep in mind. Happy travels!​

Make Any Special Requests in Advance

To ensure a smooth check-in experience for yourself and others, plan ahead. If you have special requests — such as a crib, accessible room, or early check-in — reach out to the hotel in advance rather than waiting until you arrive. This helps the staff prepare and prevents delays at the front desk. 

Keep in mind that an early check-in is not always guaranteed, especially during busy periods, so have a backup plan if your room isn’t ready. When you arrive, have your ID and reservation details ready to streamline the process — or you can often check in online and skip the wait.

Travel days can be exhausting and hectic, but a little courtesy goes a long way. Simply offering a polite “please” and “thank you” to the hotel staff can set the tone for a positive interaction and a pleasant start to your stay. If you have any concerns or special needs during your visit, a friendly attitude can lead to better service and smoother resolutions.

The Dos and Don’ts of Shared Spaces 

Hotels are communal spaces, so it’s important to be mindful of how you use shared facilities. For instance, take only what you’ll eat at the breakfast buffet, avoid reserving lounge chairs or gym equipment for extended periods, and return borrowed items such as towels or robes when you’re finished. If an amenity is complimentary, such as coffee or toiletries, take only what you need rather than stockpiling for later.

It’s also considerate to keep conversations, TV volume, and phone calls at a reasonable level, especially in hallways and late at night. In common areas, avoid taking up more space than necessary, clean up after yourself, and follow posted guidelines for amenities such as the pool, breakfast area, and fitness center.

Keep Your Room Tidy To Help Housekeeping Out

A little consideration can make housekeeping’s job much easier. For instance, try storing personal items off the bed and bathroom counter so staff can clean efficiently. If you want to reuse towels, hang them up. If you need fresh ones, place them in a designated spot, typically in the bathtub or in a corner of the bathroom. 

Most hotels change bedding every few days unless requested otherwise, so if you need fresh sheets sooner, check with housekeeping or the front desk. And if you don’t need housekeeping at all that day, put out the “Do Not Disturb” sign or let the front desk know. Some hotels even offer incentives for skipping daily service, including reward points or dining credits, so check if that’s an option.

Follow Tipping Etiquette

In the U.S., tipping hotel staff is customary, while in other countries, service fees may be included in the room charge or tipping may not be expected for cultural reasons. It’s best to check local customs before you travel. That said, you can always use your discretion to tip extra if someone goes above and beyond.

Typically, housekeeping should receive $5 to $10 per day for a tip, left in an obvious spot such as the nightstand with a note indicating it’s for them. Bellhops should be tipped $2 to $5 per bag, and ditto valet attendants who retrieve your car. If a member of staff assists with hailing a cab or carrying luggage, a tip of $1 to $5 is appropriate. Concierge staff who provide special services, such as securing reservations or tickets, should be tipped $5 to $20 depending on the complexity of the request. Room service staff often have gratuity included in the bill, but if not, tipping 15% to 20% is standard.

Be Communicative When Checking Out

When it’s time to check out, be mindful of the hotel’s policies and deadlines. If you need a late checkout, it’s helpful to request it ahead of time rather than assuming it’s an option. Leaving your room in a reasonable state — disposing of trash, gathering used towels, and ensuring you haven’t left any belongings behind — makes the process smoother for housekeeping. If something was damaged during your stay, notify the front desk instead of leaving it for them to discover.

Again, courtesy goes a long way as you wrap up your stay. Thanking the staff is a given, and offering useful feedback helps the hotel improve. If a staff member offered particularly great service, you may want to consider recognizing them in a review or mentioning them to management. Positive feedback not only boosts morale but also encourages exceptional service for future guests.

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Innovation doesn’t always follow a straight line. Some of history’s most famous inventions, including the microwave, were born from accidents. Others, though not strictly accidental, ended up serving a completely different purpose than originally intended — such as the blood pressure medication that ended up becoming a famous hair loss remedy. 

These inventions, though all surprising in their own way, share some commonalities: ingenuity, adaptability, and a keen eye for potential. While their creators may not have set out to change the world in the ways they ultimately did, they recognized and seized the opportunities that lay before them. Here are five inventions whose original purposes were completely different.

Silly String

Silly String may be a nostalgic party staple now, but it was originally a medical product. In the 1960s, chemist Robert P. Cox and inventor Leonard A. Fish set out to create an instant spray-on cast for broken bones. During their experiments, which included testing upward of 500 different spraying vessels, they discovered the material could be sprayed in long, sticky strands from a certain pressurized can. 

The pair saw the potential in their silly substance and brought it to California toy company Wham-O, home to such popular toys as the Frisbee and the Slip ‘N Slide. The meeting didn’t exactly go as planned. Cox and Fish excitedly demonstrated the spray to — and on — the Wham-O employee, and they were subsequently asked to leave. 

The following day, however, the eager inventors were asked to send 24 cans to Wham-O for a second look. Despite being reformulated over the years to comply with changing regulations — notably the 1978 U.S. ban on Freon as a propellant — Silly String has remained a staple on store shelves ever since. According to Cox’s 2008 obituary, he couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated that, of all his endeavors, it was his silliest invention that ultimately took off.

Play-Doh

Anyone who’s cleaned Play-Doh out of carpet or picked up all its little crumbs knows how messy it can be, so it may come as a surprise that it was originally used as a cleaner. In the 1930s, Cincinnati-based soap manufacturer Kutol began making its own version of a doughy putty used to remove soot from wallpaper. This was a common need at a time when homes were still primarily heated by coal furnaces, and after Kroger stores agreed to carry Kutol’s wall cleaner, the once-struggling company found new footing. But by the end of World War II, homes largely switched to gas and oil heating, and demand for the cleaner began to wane. 

By the 1950s, the company had yet again fallen on tough times. But its fate turned once more after a Kutol executive’s sister-in-law, Kay Zufall — who also happened to be a nursery school teacher — suggested repurposing the dough as a children’s toy. 

With a few tweaks to the formula and the introduction of bright red, blue, and yellow colors, the rebranded product was launched as Play-Doh. It was first sold to Cincinnati schools in single-gallon cans; three-packs of smaller jars were introduced for retail sale in 1956. It was a smash hit: By 1958, the company, which just four years prior was barely cracking $100,000 in annual sales, was raking in nearly $3 million yearly. In the mid-2010s, it was estimated that more than 3 billion cans of the stuff had been sold around the world since its debut as a toy.

Listerine

Listerine’s minty burn wasn’t always meant to freshen breath. When the product was created in 1879 by surgeon Joseph Lawrence in St. Louis, Missouri, it was intended as a surgical antiseptic. Its name was even an homage to British surgeon Joseph Lister, who pioneered sterile surgery in the 1860s. 

In the 1880s, Lawrence was working with pharmacist Jordan Wheat Lambert to sell the product. Doctors sang its praises, claiming it effective against everything from ulcers to gonorrhea. By the 1890s, Listerine was officially being marketed for uses beyond the doctor’s office, primarily to dentists as a “perfect tooth and mouth wash,” as advertisements of the time touted. 

Throughout the ensuing years, Listerine’s uses varied. At different times it was marketed as a floor cleaner, a cure for dandruff, and even an elixir for sore throats, coughs, and colds — it was only in 1975 that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ordered the company to stop falsely claiming that health purpose. 

Its most lucrative market, however, was established in the 1920s, when the Warner-Lambert pharmaceutical company began advertising Listerine to treat “halitosis,” aka bad breath. Listerine’s ads painted this fairly minor affliction as a troublesome medical condition for which they had the cure. The campaign was so successful that not only did Listerine emerge and remain best known as a mouthwash, but the phrase “halitosis appeal” became standard marketing speak to refer to the use of fear to sell a product.

Treadmills

We know treadmills as a modern fitness staple that, depending who you ask, are more pain than pleasure. This is somewhat fitting, given the exercise tool’s punishing origins. In the early 19th century, British engineer William Cubitt designed the first treadmill as a form of prison labor. Inmates, often in groups, were forced to walk on large rotating wheels for upward of eight hours a day. The wheel power was typically used to grind grain or pump water, supposedly making it a productive means of punishment designed to rehabilitate prisoners.

By the early 20th century, treadmills had been abandoned in prisons. But as heart disease started to skyrocket in the U.S., doctors began rethinking the machine, first as a testing tool for cardiovascular performance. 

American doctor of medicine Kenneth Cooper used treadmills in the 1960s to test endurance in pilots, and in 1968, his book Aerobics promoted running as a way to prevent heart disease. The work inspired New Jersey engineer William Staub, who built his own treadmill — a simple, compact motorized machine — and in the 1970s, his PaceMaster treadmill brought indoor running to the masses.

Rogaine

Rogaine has long been a popular hair loss treatment, but that use was discovered as a happy side effect of another drug. Its evolution began in the 1950s, when chemists at the Upjohn pharmaceutical company — also responsible for developing Xanax and Motrin before being acquired by Pfizer — developed a drug called minoxidil to treat ulcers, which was later found to lower blood pressure. In the 1970s, the FDA approved minoxidil as an oral blood pressure medication, and patients who took the drug began noticing increased hair growth as well.

As the unexpected side effect became more widely known, Upjohn acted before competitors could, refining minoxidil into a topical solution. In 1988, the FDA approved the newly named Rogaine as a prescription first for men and eventually for women (three years later). In 1996, Rogaine became available over the counter. 

When it was initially released, there was some skepticism about whether the product could live up to the hype  — it wasn’t a miracle cure for hair loss, after all. Upjohn focused on marketing directly to consumers instead of doctors, namely with aggressive television and magazine campaigns. As a result, sales grew from around $67 million in 1989 to $140 million in 1990. As of 2020, an estimated 2.87 million Americans counted themselves as Rogaine customers.

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The beloved HBO series The White Lotus has gathered a devoted following, sparking a cultural buzz reminiscent of the days of “water cooler” discussions about the latest must-see TV. Each season explores the lives of guests and employees at the eponymous fictional chain of luxury resorts, ultimately revealing dark truths about these idyllic locales and the lives of the people they attract.

The show’s third season took place in Thailand, and its finale aired on April 6, 2025, resulting in mixed feedback among fans. But no matter your thoughts on the overall narrative, you may be left with one question in particular (warning: spoilers ahead!): Is the poisonous fruit from the show real, and if so, is it actually deadly? 

Let’s take a look at the fruit known throughout Southeast Asia as pong pong, which played a key role in the recent White Lotus finale.

What Is Pong Pong?

In the last episode of season 3, “Amor Fati,” the character Lochlan (portrayed by Sam Nivola) nearly dies after inadvertently consuming seeds from the poisonous pong pong fruit. The seeds had been left in a blender by his father, Timothy (Jason Isaacs), who considered offing his whole family before getting cold feet. But Timothy didn’t think to clean out the remnants of the blender before Lochlan made a protein shake the next morning, resulting in a nearly fatal accident. These events were not entirely the stuff of fiction: The pong pong fruit is indeed very real, and potentially lethal if eaten.

The pong pong tree is native to Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, as well as India, various Pacific Islands, and the state of Queensland in northeastern Australia. The plant is biologically classified as Cerbera odollam and, as mentioned in the show, is sometimes referred to by the morbid moniker the “suicide tree.”

Pong pong trees typically grow to nearly 40 feet tall, naturally occurring in forests and on Pacific shorelines. They’re also popular pieces of ornamental vegetation, providing shade and flowers that produce a pleasant jasmine-like scent. Those flowers also help to easily identify a pong pong tree, as the blooms each have five small, white petals with a yellow hole in the center.

But in addition to these delightful florals, pong pong trees are also the source of the notorious fruit in question. Visually, an immature pong pong fruit looks much like an unripened mango, with a greenish color and a slightly oblong rounded shape. As the fruit ripens, it develops a brownish-black color, ultimately turning reddish-purple when it matures. But it’s not the rind you have to worry about — it’s what’s inside.

What Makes the Fruit Deadly?

If you stumble upon a pong pong fruit in the wild, there’s no risk in touching or smelling the exterior. The danger is contained within the fruit’s seeds, which contain a toxin called cerberin that may prove fatal in as little as four hours after being consumed. Cerberin is known to disrupt cardiac activity, including slowly the heart rate and potentially leading to cardiac failure.

Matthew Badgett, a doctor of internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, warned of these risks in an interview with Everyday Health, saying, “One seed from the pong pong fruit can be fatal, and half seeds have been shown to make people very sick and cause abnormal heart rhythms … it’s likely that two seeds or one whole fruit (including seeds) could very likely kill a person.”

Was White Lotus’ Portrayal Realistic?

Despite the show’s heightened drama, The White Lotus accurately portrayed what it would be like to consume pong pong seeds — for the most part. The seeds have a bitter taste and may be mixed into beverages to cover their acrid flavor, so Lochlan’s smoothie could feasibly have masked the taste of the seeds. And Joshua King, the medical director at the Maryland Poison Center, noted in an interview with TIME that vomiting, as Lochan did shortly after ingestion, is a common reaction to consuming the toxin.

Another thing the show got right was that Lochlan wouldn’t have necessarily died after consuming the seeds. Eating trace amounts isn’t always fatal, but it can induce sickness. Also, people react quite differently to the same amount of toxin depending on body mass: A half seed may be enough to kill a smaller person, while that same amount may only induce serious illness in someone larger. That being said, it is unlikely that Lochlan would have been unscathed without any medical intervention.

The most unrealistic aspect of the White Lotus portrayal was how quickly Lochlan’s symptoms set in. Experts say it would likely take at least an hour for symptoms to show after consuming the toxin, and in some instances, symptoms don’t appear for as many as 15 hours.

If someone does consume the toxic pong pong fruit, it’s imperative they seek medical help immediately. While the poison can’t be removed from the blood system, certain medications can counteract its effects, such as atropine, an antidote often used for cardiac resuscitation after poisonings. Interestingly, atropine is also a plant-derived poison, but it increases heart rate, counteracting the slowed heart rate associated with cerberin. So maybe take some with you on your next visit to the notorious White Lotus resort.