Because the kids can’t wait – and neither can your budget.
1. The mid-summer cash crunch
The Summer break is great for the children, but can be brutal for your bank account. We all know how difficult it is keeping the kids entertained whilst staying on budget. From booking tickets to Alton Towers, cinema trips, and “Mum, can we insert-expensive-activity-here?”, it’s easy to be down £200 before you have even left the house.
With many families feeling the pinch with increased bills, and the general cost of living, many are looking for ways to increase that summer time budget without leaning on credit cards or dipping into the overdraft.
If you are looking to cash in some items to add to increase the entertaining budget, some of the most liquid items you may find in your home are usually, jewellery and gadgets such as phones, tablets, and game consoles.
- Jewellery – gold chains you never wear, single earrings with no partner, broken bracelets hiding in the drawer.
- Gadgets – the phone you recently upgraded, last year’s games console, the tablet that’s gathering dust.
So which should you flog first? Here’s a mum-friendly, straight-talking breakdown.
2. What are they worth today?
| Item | Typical quick-sale value (August 2025) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 9 carat gold chain, 15g | ~£428 (15 g × £28.51 per g) | Gold price is set by weight & purity. Easy to estimate. |
| 18 carat wedding band, 3 g | ~£171 (3 g × £57.02 per g) | Higher carat means higher payout. |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max 512GB | From £455 | Roughly half its launch price after 12 months. |
| Sony PS4 Pro 1TB | From £85.00 | Depreciates fastest of the lot. |
| iPad Mini (6th Gen) | Up to £180 | Shows the gap between “as-new” and “new-new”. |
- Gold value estimates from Cheshire Gold Xchange’s gold price calculator, and Music Magpie gadget prices, accurate as of 1st August 2025.
- Key takeaway
Gold prices are currently continuing to move up and are somewhat predictable where as gadget prices are falling, and continue to drop as new versions are released.
3. The case for selling jewellery first
As precious-metals (especially gold) have increased significantly in value over the last 12 months. With record highs being recorded through 2025.
- Quick lump sum payouts. A reasonably heavy 9ct gold curb chain necklace could easily provide funding for a week long family staycation, and could be valued higher than all of your pre-owned gadgets combined!
- Price stability. The gold spot price for 24ct (pure) has hovered around £80 per gram throughout July–August 2025. By contrast your kids tablets and consoles, nosedive the moment a new model launches.
- Zero “tech-prep”. When selling jewellery there is no data to wipe or chargers to find – just weigh, test, and go.
- Online selling and valuations. You can value your gold jewellery online with many reputable gold buyers, many also provide the option for you to also post your gold to them.
But… jewellery can have sentimental. If the chain was Grandma’s, you may need to carefully consider before you rush off to sell – gadgets feel much more disposable and rarely tug heart-strings the same way (not for the parents anyway!).
4. The case for flogging gadgets first
- Clutter clearing bonus. We seem to accumulate old phones and tablets in drawers. Shifting unused tech frees up physical and mental space.
- Lower emotional stake. Kids get over losing an old Xbox, quicker than Mum might get over selling her engagement ring (especially if they are already playing on the latest version).
- Best window right now. iPhones lost a record 55 % of their value in their first year (iPhone 15 series) – and the drop accelerates when September’s new models land. Selling before those September launches locks in the highest price possible.
- Eco kudos. Re-homing an phone for someone else to appreciate, beats it heading for landfill.
But… the longer you wait to sell your tech, the less you get. So it could be a good idea, to sell off the gadgets first if that can raise the required funds needed.
5. Quick-decision cheat sheet
| Need | Sell | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| < £100 for cinema tickets & ice cream | Old smartphone / games controller | Fast sale, keeps sentimental items safe. |
| £150-£300 for a mini-break | Light weight gold chain, small high purity ring | One trip to the buyer, one decent wedge of cash. |
| £500+ for long weekend staycation | Heavier gold pieces or several gadgets plus jewellery | Combine both for a bigger pot – gold covers the bulk, gadgets can top it up. |
| You’re sentimentally attached to the bling | Gadgets first | Preserve memories, sacrifice tech that will only depreciate. |
6. How to squeeze every penny
If you’re selling gold
- Know your purity. The higher the purity the higher the value, look for hallmarks; 9ct 375 (37.5% pure gold), 18ct 750 (75% pure gold)
- Weigh at home. Digital kitchen scales can provide an estimate, so you’re not flying blind on offers.
- Get multiple quotes. Many reputable gold dealers display their pricing online, or have quick and easy to use website calculators.
- Bring ID. If your selling in-store bring photo ID. It’s a legal requirement under anti-money-laundering rules.
If you’re selling your gadgets
- Backup & factory-reset. Wipe all stored memory, pictures, location data etc, factory reset where possible.
- Unlock the phone. Phones unlocked to use against any network can fetch higher prices.
- Shop around online. Use comparison sites; prices can vary by £30-£50 on the same model.
- Sell before September. If you have an iPhone, prices drop the closer to Apple’s iPhone-launch month. Price drops also trickle down to older models.
- Bundle accessories. Original boxes and chargers can add more to your payout.
- 7. Still torn? Try this two-step plan
- List your unwanted tech tonight on a trade-in site with free postage. You’ll have a confirmed price within 24 hours. Make sure you choose a well reviewed and reputable buyer.
- Get an online jewellery valuation. If the gadget cash covers the theme-park fees, brilliant – the gold can stay in the jewellery box. If it falls short, you’ll already have Plan B lined up.
- 8. Final word
For quick holiday funds, gold wins on potential higher value per item, while gadgets excel at painless decluttering without much consideration. Most families end up doing a bit of both. Just remember, to sell the tech while it may be “this year’s model”, and and sell the jewellery when you’re sure the memories are in your heart – not the metal.
