How to Make $300 Fast (22 Top Ways to Make Money in 2020)
No matter your reasons or needing $300, we’ve gathered some of the best (and fastest) ways to get money in your hands.
Between car repairs, electric bills, or a car payment on the horizon, coming up with some extra cash can be stressful, but it is certainly doable.
You’ll need to dedicate a few hours to making money but it can certainly be done. Keep reading to learn the best ways you can make $300 fast.
How to Make $300 in a Few Days
Whether it’s an upcoming rent payment or you just want to make $300, here are some of the best, completely legitimate ways you can make money in no time.
1. Sign Up for a New Credit Card To Earn a Cash Bonus
Many credit cards will offer cash sign up bonuses for well over $100. There are several cards that offer a $150 sign up bonus such as the Capital One Quicksilver card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card. The Capital One Savor card even offers a $300 sign up bonus.
These bonuses typically come with spending requirements that are often relatively low raging anywhere from $500 to around $1,000 within the first few months of owning the card. This can be a great way to get money in your hands by spending money you normally would.
2. Sell Items Around the House to Make Money
It’s likely that you’ll have some items sitting around your house that can make you some extra cash.
It could be clothes, books, old movies, or just about anything else. There’s a market for just about any item you may have.
You can consider selling your items to local consignment shops or online through websites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
If you’re really in a pinch, you could consider selling some of your larger assets, like a clothes washer and drier or television set. These items can easily make you $300 and can be sold within the day.
3. Donate Plasma for an Easy $40
Donating plasma is a great way to earn some extra money and it requires nothing but your time and a little poke.
You can make around $40 per donation with many people donating as much as 4 times per month.
There are some restrictions, however. You’ll need to weigh at least 110 pounds, be 18 years of age, and have the right levels of hemoglobin and iron in your blood.
Clinics will typically accept walk-in patients, making it one of the easiest and most convenient ways to make extra money.
4. Find Freelance Work
You can find freelance work for just about any skill on websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
Best of all, you don’t have to have any skills to make money and you can find jobs in which the work needs to be completed within the day. There are people and companies looking for workers to sort through emails or complete research or data entry tasks.
The amount you can make freelancing varies on your skills, but it can be an excellent way to make some extra money. Below are some of the most common freelance jobs you should consider!
Writing Content
One of the most common freelance gigs is copywriting. Because it doesn’t require any sort of formal education, it can be done by just about anyone. Copywriting is the skill of writing clear and concise thoughts in an easy to read manner.
Those with more experience will find it easier to write and can charge a premium for their services.
Copywriters will often be tasked with writing the following pieces:
- Blog posts
- Product descriptions
- EBooks
- Technical writing
Graphic Design
If you have basic computer skills and are creative, graphic design can be a great way to make extra money.
You’ll often use a vector graphic program like Adobe Illustrator to craft designs based on your client's needs.
Your pay will depend on the complexity of the project and your experience.
Graphic designers will often be tasked with the following pieces:
- Social media graphics
- Infographics
- Logos
- Blog post headers
- Email marketing graphics
- Physical signage
- And much more
Digital Marketing
If you are skilled in online marketing, there are companies looking for help managing their marketing tasks. From email marketing to managing digital advertising, there is a plethora of digital marketing work around.
Digital marketers will often be tasked with the following pieces:
- Email marketing
- SEO
- Social media marketing
- Marketing strategy
Web Development
If you’re skilled in web development, there are thousands of tasks available on freelance websites ranging from quite simple to more advanced.
Because web development requires a unique skill set, the pay for these gigs is often significant. You can easily make $300 in one day buy completing web development tasks.
Others
Freelancing is available for just about any skill. There are gigs offered in Accounting, HR, IT, and Customer Service, and many more.
5. Work Extra Hours at Your Job
For those with the ability, try picking up an extra shift during the week or weekend to make some extra money. Even if it’s less than $100, this is a nice portion of the $300 you’re looking for.
If you don’t currently have a job, consider searching for one. Many places will be willing to hire you within a week depending on your skills. You can search job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn to find a position that fits your experience.
6. Make Money Selling Your Photos Online
Becoming a stock photographer is a relatively simple process and allows you to make money by taking pictures (which many people enjoy).
You might be thinking you need to have a multi-thousand dollar camera and advanced photo editing software to make money, but that isn’t always the case.
With the advancement of technology over the past few years, you might be capable of getting away with a decent smartphone camera to capture the perfect shot.
If you’re looking to turn your photography skills into a long term business, investing in a high-quality camera can be well worth your money.
7. Flip Anything (Furniture, Sneakers, Electronics)
Flipping items like furniture, sneakers, or electronics can become an extremely lucrative business.
The process is very simple and easy to understand. You’ll need to source your products and be capable of refurbishing them before selling them for a profit.
Flipping Furniture
When it comes to furniture, you can often find items in your own home or on local classifieds like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to flip. You’ll want to find pieces that are unique and can be sold for significantly more after you refurbish them. Typically these pieces are antiques that just need some TLC. After refurbishing them, you can sell them on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace or at a local antique mall.
Flipping Sneakers
Finding a pair of rare and valuable sneakers can cost you well over $1,000. This shows how much money you can make if you are capable of restoring a nice pair of shoes in top shape. You’ll need to have some basic materials to restore shoes that can be done with a little research and less than $50. Once you’ve restored the shoes, you can sell them online to make money.
Flipping Electronics
A great way to make money is by flipping electronics. You can often find broken iPhones or other electronics on eBay or Craigslist that can be repaired. Better yet, you can often purchase these items in bulk making them even cheaper per unit. For example, you can find 10 iPhones with cracked screens on eBay for sale. If you have the cash (or credit) available, this can be an excellent way to make money.
The most common fix is a broken or cracked screen. You can purchase a screen replacement kit and then sell the item once the fix is completed for a profit.
It’s not limited to mobile devices either! Those who are more tech-savvy can examine flipping larger devices like televisions or computers. These will come with higher price tags and therefore higher profits.
8. Keep Interest Rates Low by Refinancing
If you have a mortgage or student loans, there’s a good chance you’re probably overpaying when it comes to interest.
Consider refinancing your loans to lower your rate and keep more money in your pocket.
If choosing to refinance your mortgage, you can consider taking cash out of your home spending on your needs.
It’s common to save a few hundred dollars per month by refinancing your loans. You’ll want to ensure your credit is in check before applying to reduce the risk of getting denied which comes with an additional hard inquiry.
9. Cash Out Credit Card Rewards
If you frequently use credit cards, check your rewards tab to see if you have any money available. There’s a good chance you’ll have at least a few dollars.
It might not be an extraordinary amount, but it’ll help you on your path to making $300 fast.
10. Sell Old Electronics
There’s a good chance you have an old phone or television lying around your home. These items can often be worth more than you might think, especially if they’re significantly older.
First-generation iPhones in good condition can sell for well over $2,000!
11. Find Work on Nextdoor
The Nextdoor app is a platform that allows neighbors to communicate about a variety of things.
While it’s common to find plenty of political drama, sometimes you can find random work.
Cleaning, dog sitting, and landscaping are a few of the common services in need. If you have some free time, this is a great way to make extra money.
12. Invest in the Stock Market
Investing is typically thought of as a long-term venture (and it should be!!) but some of the world's top day traders can make millions of dollars every single day by trading positions.
This can be extremely risky, so proceed with caution!
Consider purchasing stocks that have a solid foundation and are set up for long term growth. The longer you hold your stocks, the more likely they will produce income for you.
13. Sell Things on Etsy (Or Other Websites)
If you’re somewhat crafty and can create unique items, consider selling your products on websites like Etsy or eBay. Some of the top sellers make millions of dollars per year using these platforms, so it doesn’t hurt to take a shot.
There are thousands of potential items you can make ranging from candles to blankets. Here are a few common items that are easy to make and sell online:
- Jewelry and Accessories
- Home Decor
- Candles
- Personalized Items
- Clothing
- Art
14. Make Money with a 3D Printer
If you have a 3D printer, it can be extremely easy to monetize your skills printing products. Assuming you have the basic skills and necessary components, you can use your printer to create products and sell online for cash.
You can read this guide to making money with a 3D printer to get started!
15. Make Sure You Aren’t Missing Money
The website missingmoney.com allows you to find money that is yours. It could be for various reasons. It is endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), making it a completely legitimate way to find money that you might’ve lost over the years.
All you need to do is search your name and location to see if you have any money available. If a search result does appear, the amount is not fully disclosed. It will show if it is more or less than $100.
If you find missing money, you can choose to verify that the funds are yours by having a letter sent to the address on file.
16. Get Paid to Shop
What if I told you you could make money shopping at the places you normally shop? Well, you can! By utilizing cashback websites, you’ll receive a small portion of your spending in rewards.
The amounts vary but the minimum is typically 1% cashback. Sometimes you can score deals in which stores will Ofer 10 or 20% cashback, helping you earn money fast.
Some of the best cashback rewards websites are:
17. Charge Bird Scooters (Bird Flyer Program)
If you live in one of many larger cities, there’s a good chance you’ll see Bird scooters laying around on sidewalks throughout the area.
These scooters run on electricity and must be recharged daily to ensure they stay running.
The Bird Flyer program will pay you to pick up the scooters, charge them, and return them to the area. The pay is based on the amount of charge but you can expect to earn between $3 and $20 per scooter.
To make money with the Bird Flyer program, you’ll want to have a vehicle that is large enough to transport several scooters at once. You’ll also need to have a place to charge them and you should consider the cost of electricity in your area.
18. Drive for a Ride-Hailing Service
Ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft make for a great way to earn extra cash whenever you have any extra time. Because you can turn your availability on and off with the flip of a switch, driving for a ride-hailing service is an excellent way to make money at your convenience.
Pay ranging widely based on your location and the quality of your service but you can expect to make around $9 to $15 per hour after considering your expenses.
To maximize your efficiency, you can register to drive on multiple platforms to reduce downtime.
Take Advantage of Sign Up Offers
Many ride-hailing services will offer sign up bonuses for new drivers. The amounts can vary and is typically dependent on the amount you drive but you can expect to cash in for at least $100 extra for your first week of driving.
19. Paint Rooms or Stain Decks
There is always a market for people who are capable and willing to paint. Painting decks or fences does not require much skill and can pay a decent amount.
If you’re working a side gig, you can charge by the job. If not, expect to get paid between $8 and $15 per hour of work. Not bad for something as simple as painting.
20. Get a Loan
If you need $300 fast, taking out a loan can grant you the cash you need to keep your bills paid. While a loan should be your last resort method for obtaining money, it can serve it’s purpose when needed.
You should have a plan in place to pay your loan back as soon as possible to limit interest.
21. Become a Delivery Driver
If there’s one thing people are willing to pay for, it’s convenience. With thousands of delivery orders taken every day, this provides an opportunity for you to make money.
You can consider driving for a 3rd party delivery service like DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats to make money on the side. Otherwise, restaurants are willing to pay for individual drivers.
22. Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
If you’ve recently been laid off from your job, you’ll most likely qualify for unemployment benefits.
The amount you’ll receive depends on the amount you made prior and the state you live in. You can receive your payment within a few weeks of qualifying.
Making $300 Fast Online
Want to make money online? Here are a few places to get started!
Take Surveys
There are many survey websites that will pay you in exchange for your time completing surveys. While the pay is often minimal, you can take advantage of sign up offers to make it worthwhile.
Taking surveys is a great way to get paid while waiting for things like on public transportation, checking out at the grocery store, or going for a walk at the park. Some of the best websites to make money taking surveys are below.
- InboxDollars
- Swagbucks
- Survey Junkie
- Life Points
Sign up for Swagbucks
Want to earn a free $10? Signing up for Swagbucks is fast and simple plus you’ll get a free $10 when you register.
Sign up for Rakuten
by registering for a Rakuten account, you’ll be gifted a free $10. Also, for each person you refer, you’ll score an additional $25 for each qualifying referral you facilitate.
Ways to Save $300 Fast
Just as there are many ways you can make money, you should also consider saving money as a way to keep your bank account satisfied. Here are a few things you can do to save money.
Use GasBuddy Before Filling Up
Fuel costs can be extremely costly, especially for those who travel significant distances to and from work. GasBuddy allows you to check local prices before you fill up your tank.
You can sort by the cheapest prices or the closest stations. You can often find that just by driving an extra quarter of a mile you can save an additional 20 cents per gallon.
Lower Utility Costs
Between electric, gas, and water keeping your home running can be quite costly. There are thousands of ways to lower your utility costs including raising (or lowering) the temperature of your home a few degrees, taking short showers, or reducing the frequency you use the stove.
Looking for more ways to lower your utility costs? Check out this guide to saving money on utilities!
Negotiate Cable Costs
As the competition has heated up between both cable companies and online streamline services, the costs have decreased. Take advantage by negotiating with your cable company a lower rate for your television or internet. If they don’t budge, consider cutting the cord altogether.
Reduce Insurance Costs
You might be able to save a nice portion of your monthly insurance premiums by doing some research.
Between car and home insurance, you should look around for companies willing to negotiate a lower rate.
You can easily save more than $1,000 per year between both home and auto insurance (not to mention if you have any other forms of insurance), so it’s certainly worth your time.
Ditch the Gym Membership (Or any Memberships!)
Do you have several recurring subscriptions that you don’t use? Canceling these times is a great way to save money. Between gym memberships and other subscriptions, you might even be capable of saving a few hundred dollars per month.
Need some help funding unused subscriptions? Apps like Trim look for services that might not be used and can cancel them for you!
Conclusion: Making $300 is Easier than You Think!
With thousands of ways to make money, your options are almost endless. Whether you choose to donate plasma or sell photos online, making money can be more simple than you might imagine.
By following the tips above, you’ll be on your way to making $300 in no time.
What are your favorite ways to make money? Comment below!
