The premise is simple – every tangible asset, which has a limited life and thus wears out, depreciates over time. That includes almost everything you buy for your home, business, or personal use.

However, there are goods that lose value as soon as you leave the store and take them home. These are the ones that become obsolete or outdated as the fast-paced custom changes and as the technology improves. An item with a low marginal cost of production but a high initial cost is also likely to depreciate quickly. Should you try to sell them, your profit won't go close to what you originally paid for.

Ahead are some depreciable items that meet the above criteria, as well as some tips to make them work for you.

1. Cars

You might've probably heard this old adage: brand new automobiles lose a good chunk of their value as soon as you drive them off the store. And the value continues to shrink as you drive your car often.

Cars, in general, are notorious for depreciating quickly. The depreciation rate, of course, varies by model. But in average, a new car loses 11% of its value the moment you drive off the lot (Source: Edmunds.com). Given the idea, that car will only be worth 37% of its initial cost after 5 years. If you want car depreciation to work for you, you may purchase a used car (a year old or two) instead of a new one, after the original owner has already taken the loss.

2. Electronics (computers, phones, tablets, cameras etc) ­

Electronics, like music and fashion, evolve and go out of style. Today, the smartphone model everyone is crazy about is in. But tomorrow, when another model takes over the market, you can see its price dropping. Tech-savvy consumers are always on the hunt for massive upgrades including improved speed, memory, and screen resolution. Laptops, tablets, and desktop computers lose value fast for the same reasons.

When it comes to electronics, battling depreciation can be tough but it's possible to slow down the depreciation rate. You may purchase top brands. You can also try to keep the equipment in good shape by following proper care instructions, securing them in a case, using a screen protector for screened gadgets, and saving all manuals and packaging.

3. Home Appliances / Office Equipment

Do you still have a cassette player? Gen Z, as well as the succeeding generations, will never understand the hassle of rewinding a tape using a pen. Home equipment, like entertainment and kitchen appliances, are prime examples of high-loss assets. Like PCs and other gadgets, state-of-the-art versions of these appliances hit the market as technology improves. Same goes with office equipment which is considered as business assets.

4. Jewelry

When you buy your lady a pricey engagement ring and she said “no” to your proposal, it's impossible to get back anything close to what you paid for. Jewelry is an expensive commodity but the worth plunges the moment it leaves the jeweler. Take diamond engagement rings for instance. They are not rare, and therefore, less likely to hold value. In fact, you can spot hundreds of barely used, good quality diamond engagement rings at prices far lower than retail when you visit any pawnshop. The recent divorce statistics will explain why.

In contrary to a popular myth, jewelry is not a good investment. Other pieces of jewelry and gemstones share the same fate. The only exception is when there's some exceptional craftsmanship in it that makes that particular piece scarce. The rarer the piece, the more likely it will retain its value.

5. Video Games and Toys

Avid gamers and collectors out there could relate – video games lose about 30% of their resale value as soon as the wrap comes off. Their worth continues to plunge sharply in the ensuing days and weeks. And as new games are released, expect their older versions to rapidly drop in value. Same goes with toys, wherein the value fades the moment you take them out of the box.

Author Bio: Sophie Harris is a resident writer for Depreciator, an Australian-based business specializing in Tax Depreciation Schedules. Being an enthusiast of pursuing financial security herself, she writes and shares self-help articles focused on personal finance, tax planning, and property investing.