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Brits are hoarding a staggering £81.6 BILLION worth of unwanted possessions, it has emerged.
Researchers also found a large percentage of the nation is unaware they're sitting on a potential goldmine.
More than a third of those who took part in the study admitted they never get rid of old items and so end up accumulating thousands of pounds worth of goods
The study of 2,000 Brits commissioned by the online lender MYJAR estimated the adult has unwanted stored goods worth £1,600.
Three in 10 even went as far as to describe themselves as a ‘hoarder’, which is no surprise when many only clear their loft or garage out once a year.
One in 10 admitted they have NEVER had a proper purge of old possessions.
A spokesman for MYJAR said: “We believe this research highlights a problem with overspending.
''People feel the pressure to buy things they don’t really need. There’s a general lack of financial education too, so a lot of money is spent unnecessarily.
“On average, people have unused goods at home that they could sell on, but of course the best way to keep your finances in check is not to spend unnecessarily in the first place.”
The survey also revealed up to half of hoarders keep hold of their old stuff because they think that it will come in useful one day.
Around one fifth admitted they are no good at getting rid of things, but an equal number are hiding away unwanted items in the hope they might eventually be worth something.
One in five said they don’t sell on their pre-loved possession because they aren’t aware of how much they are worth.
In fact, more than one in 10 have binned an item or given something away to later find out it was worth more than they were expecting, valued at £484 on average.
The study also found just 13 per cent of the nation will typically sell unwanted items, but just half will check the value of an item before sending it onto greener pastures.
It also emerged two fifths have had old mobile phones stashed away, more than a quarter have hoarded gaming systems and nearly half have held onto old books for a period before selling them on.
Vinyl records and vintage clothes are loved and let go by one fifth of the nation, and just over one in 10 have had old VHS tapes that they’ve gone on to auction off.
Nearly half of those polled via OnePoll regret their purchase history as they are haunted by their mistakes with six in 10 saying they never use the thing they bought.
More than half wished they hadn’t bought something because it was an impulse buy, and more than a fifth admitted they have regretted their decision because it simply cost too much.
Signed books and pictures, beds, a model railway, drum kit and even a Dr Who Tardis are some of the more unusual things the nation have made a pretty penny from selling.
A spokesman for MYJAR added: “It’s important that we carefully consider what we are buying and why we need it rather than spending on impulse, and also that we might be able to sell unwanted goods rather than hoard them.
''But at the same time, we all like to keep those items that are sentimental to us, so we shouldn’t feel the need to throw it all away.”
ENDS
