CINCINNATI -- Have an old cell phone, iPod or digital camera that you no longer use? Many of us just stick it away in a drawer and forget about it.

NewsChannel5 consumer reporter John Matarese said to pull them out because this holiday season, many of those items could bring you cash, to help with your shopping.

Drawer Full Of Cellphones

Matarese said we are going through electronics at an amazing rate these days, with millions of cell phones tossed every year.

He spoke with a group of college students who already have a stash of old iPods, cellphones and other electronics in their homes, apartments and dorm rooms.

Casey York has so many old phones, they wont even fit in a drawer anymore.

"I usually dont get rid of the old one. I stuff it in a box. I have like five of them," she said.

But it may be time to get them out. That's because companies like "Cell for Cash," "FlipSwap," "Gazelle" and even Sears may give you money for them.

They may not want that 10-year-old clunky cell phone. But if you have a newer phone, especially any type of smart phone or keyboard phone, you may be able to get some cash.

Sears Wants Your Old Phone

Sears has just launched a program -- in partnership with Gazelle -- where you can send in your old electronics and receive a Sears gift card.

Matarese entered his LG ENV2 phone, checked some boxes to note its features and quality and found he could get a $56 Sears gift card for it.

Would you rather receive cold cash? Matarese filled in the form at Cell for Cash, and learned they will send him a $47 check for his phone.

iPods, Cameras, Laptops, Too

Meantime, if you've upgraded your iPod, Matarese found that you can unload an older Nano for a $25 Sears gift card. Newer iPods may bring you $50.

Best of all, he said Sears/Gazelle will pay for the shipping. And they'll take laptops and digital cameras too.

So if you're like Lesley Robertson, who said, "My old cell phone is still at home. I haven't done anything with it yet." You might want to dust it off and get online.

For More Information:

• Sears Trade-In
• Cell For Cash
• Flip Swap