"I'm not a plastic bag" by Anya Hindmarch
Anita Manning, Great Western Auctions
Expert on Bargain Hunt (BBC) and Flog It! (BBC)

We should look for something which will reflect our present day world, is well designed, made in limited editions and, if possible, of some quality. Anya Hindmarch's 'I'm not a plastic bag' re-usable canvas tote is my bet for a collectible of the future. It reflects our present day concern for climate change and preserving the resources of our planet. These bags were made in limited editions of four colours and sold new at Sainsbury's for just ??5. They are already changing hands on eBay for eight times that. Anya Hindmarch is one of our leading designers, and the bags were not only topical but gave people a chance to buy a designer piece which would otherwise be out of their reach. By 2030 I predict that these will become collectors' pieces and change hands for at least ??500. Condition is all important, so store carefully.

Times Money adds: The bag is no longer available from Sainsbury's. Examples in original condition can, however, be had on eBay for around ??20 to ??30.

The mobile phone
Philip Serrell, Philip Serrell Auctioneers & Valuers
Expert on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!

Think of one possession that most of us have at least one of. Sometimes these gems of modern day technology are given to us and we pay for the privilege of using them. In my view the mobile phone has revolutionised our lives and will become collectable in the way that phone cards have. But make sure you keep all the accessories, including the packaging (and the thing that fits in the ear that makes one look like a night club bouncer). Surely the front runner will be the 'Del Boy brick'. Value in thirty years time? Who knows but in today's terms my guess is ??100 or more.

Times Money adds: Carphone Warehouse sells a vast range of handsets. Retrobrick deals in classic mobiles, including the Motorola DynaTAC 8500x used by Derek Trotter at ??59.

The celebrity autograph
Philip Serrell

Alternatively, my ??100 could be spent travelling to rock concerts, film premieres and sporting events to collect autographs. The four Beatles signatures from the early 60s are now worth thousands. Sadly as time passes and our heroes pass with it, the value of their signatures can only increase. I think I would have to try to persuade young racing driver Lewis Hamilton to sign my small book. Value in the future? Well there is the gamble, but if our Lewis wins Championship after Championship and, perhaps, becomes very reclusive, then his mark could well be worth as much as ??500 by the year 2030.

Times Money adds: Autograph Magazine has some interesting features on "philography" here.

David Linley gifts
Philip Serrell

The trouble with choosing a collectible of tomorrow is one needs the ability to predict fashion changes. Will Beckham Fragrances aftershave (from ??15) ' complete in its carton ' become collectable? Who will be the next Banksy and turn graffiti into gold? For my third choice, I would log on to the website of David Linley, furniture maker and the Queen's nephew. There I would probably go for either the set of 10 cased pencils at ??15 or a rosewood bookmark shaped as a paperclip at ??19, all stamped Linley. This investment would have it all ' a royal connection linked to a sought after designer name. How could it fail to be worth ??100 or more in thirty years' time? Provided of course I hadn't sharpened my pencils.

Times Money adds: Another affordable item with a Royal Connection is this ??45 gardener's gift set from the Prince of Wales' Duchy Originals range, with a hand trowel, hand fork and wooden box-cum-planter.

Children's books
Kate Bliss, independent fine art valuer
Expert on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!

It is no secret that collectibles in mint condition are the most desirable and expensive. 'Mint' collectible children's books are rare ' most have been loved and enjoyed repeatedly and bear the scars. I particularly love children's pop-up books, not only the most vulnerable to damage but a world of discovery for toddlers meeting books for the first time. I remember as a child Haunted House by Jan Pienkowski, a pop-up book published in the 1970s and 80s, that has already become a collector's item. I think the classics such as Eric Hill's Spot books and Rod Campbell's Dear Zoo available in bookshops today for as little as ??4.99 will be worth collecting for the future. By 2030, a mint example may be worth three or four times its price and should continue to rise in value. My tip is buy two copies and keep one away from sticky fingers!

Times Money adds: Amazon.co.uk has a huge selection.

The mouse mat
Elizabeth Talbot, Diss Auction Rooms
Expert on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!

My nomination for an affordable contemporary item that should increase in value is the humble mouse mat. They are a creation specifically for the current age, have no predecessor and will be made redundant by swiftly developing technology in the very near future. Therefore, although mass-produced, we already know there will not be an infinite supply. Being a piece of equipment, bought to be pressed into service, most mouse mats are ripped out of their packaging without a second thought being paid to it. Therefore, a mouse mat 'in original packaging' or 'original condition' will be a rare find in 22 years time. I believe a new mat currently costing ??5 to 20 with any of the desirable characteristics sought by a collector may well sell-on for ??50 to ??100-plus in 2030.

Times Money adds: Google "mouse pad" as well as "mouse mat" if shopping online. Interesting options include Mouse Rugs and the London Transport Museum's Underground map mats.

Something craft-y
David Harper
Expert on Bargain Hunt

Avoid anything that is readily available in every department or furniture store in the land. What you are looking for is rarity, individualism and something made by hand by a craftsman. So, the trick is to find a talented potter, painter or sculptor either locally or through the internet ' someone who's work you like and will enjoy owning.  Buy it from them direct, make sure you keep the receipt with the item and even better get the artist to sign a letter of authenticity and if you can, have your picture taken with them!  It all sounds a bit cheeky, but if they drop dead in ten years time and turn into an Andy Warhol, you will be quids in.

Times Money adds: The Crafts Council can help you to find a suitable maker.

For bigger spenders

According to experts at Christie's, two wines that should make a good investment are:

Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2000 ' now ??500 a bottle at The Antique Wine Company

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2000 - now ??1,295 a bottle at Berry Bros. & Rudd

Note also: "The 2005 vintage wines will start to be traded in the auction market in 2008, and I expect that the top wines from this vintage will increase in value, as it is a superb vintage, possibly as good as 1961."

If wine does not appeal, Christie's tips "cutting-edge" gadgets, such as the Apple iPod and iPhone.

"Whether we'll sell this sort of thing by 2030 remains to be seen, but the consensus is that they could potentially be of interest."

The compiler's choice

A browse of Abebooks.com shows that signed first edition books by popular authors can rocket in value. Hatchard's, of Piccadilly, always has a good selection, many for under ??20. One good bet for 2030 could be The Reaver, the last novel of George Macdonald Fraser, author of the Flashman novels, who died on January 2. This costs ??18.99. As an example of investment potential, a signed first edition of Spike Milligan's Robin Hood I bought new for ??10.99 in 1998 now fetches around ??300 in as-new condition.

Compiled by Mark Bridge

Please post your own suggestions in the comments below