LushDollar.com
Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash

How to Make $300 Fast (Start Today)

Some of the links may be from a sponsor. Advertising Disclosure

In the past, I have written on so many ways to make money, from making $10 fast to the more than 20+ options to earn $200 in one day.

In today’s guide, I’m going to take it one step further and teach you how to make $300 fast.

Whether you need the $300 by the end of the week or maybe in 48 hours, I’m hoping the following strategies can help you in some way.  As in all of my guides, I’m 100% honest, only recommending what I feel is in the best interest for you.

If you want to make $300 fast, let’s take a gander at what may work.  Remember, your results will vary.

How to Make $300 Fast

WARNING:  So many of the websites that you search for will mention a lot of garbage tactics, such as cash back shopping, etc.  These options won’t make you $300 fast.  Rather, it’s making the blogger $300 fast since they are trying to get you to sign up for their offers.  If it sounds like a lot of work, it is!  Just be forewarned.

#1 Take Surveys

Earning potential:  $10~ a day

It’s not my favorite option on the list, but taking surveys can earn you $10 to $25~ by the end of the day.  Picture it as a way to pad your stats to earn that $300.

I have talked about surveys many times and how they work.  Simply answer questions and earn anywhere from $0.25 to more than $10.  It just depends on who you’re working with.

Some of my favorites include Swagbucks, Prolific and Superpay.me.  There are many more, all of which you can view here.



#2 Check Out Craigslist Gigs

Earning potential:  $50-$150~ a day

I feel the Craigslist “gigs” section is very underrated and rarely talked about.

If you need a gig as soon as now, it’s a great place to check out, no matter where you live.

Here, people will usually post one-off jobs that need to be done within the next day or so.  From landscaping to moving, there are a lot of options.  Scroll through the jobs and pick out one that makes sense to you.

If you do go this route, just be sure to use your gut instinct.  Never hand over personal information or pay to figure out what the job is.  An honest person will talk to you over the phone and explain the job in detail before you show up.

#3 Sell Stuff

Earning potential:  $10-$200+

There has to be something you can sell, either online or in person.  Whether it’s an electronic item or even clothes, did you know that some online companies will pay you for what you have?   You can even take advantage of the many platforms out there that connect you with buyers locally.

Yes, it simply means you let them know what you have and they offer you a cash offer.  For example, Decluttr will buy your cell phones, gaming consoles or even LEGOs, to name a few.  The prices aren’t as high as if you were going to sell them on your own, but it’s a way to bypass selling to the public.  Poshmark is another that will purchase your clothing.

And, if you have the energy to sell locally, you don’t have to use eBay, as the Facebook Marketplace and apps like OfferUp can help you connect with local buyers.  Some items may sell in less than a few hours, depending on what you have.

#4 Take Advantage of Your Car to Deliver Food/Groceries

Earning potential:  $10-$200+ a day

If you have a car, then you could be earning money in as little as 24-48 hours with a few of the apps I’m about to mention.  Instacart, for example, approved me in less than one hour and I was able to grocery shop using a digital card.  Some of these shopping trips pay anywhere from $8 to more than $70.

Other apps, such as Uber and DoorDash, can earn you $15 to $30+ per hour gross to deliver food, depending on where you live and when you work.  The great thing about these apps is that they operate in almost every city and it’s so easy to use.  Just turn on the app and accept the jobs that come your way.  As long as you don’t have a criminal record and you’re older than 18, then you can hop on the app, once approved, and deliver food for cash.

I use these apps all of the time and it’s a great way for me to make a few hundred dollars a month.

Out of all the options I mention, it’s one of my favorites, even when you factor in the wear and tear on your car.

For more information, refer to my more than 10+ ways to make money with your car.

#5 Focus Groups

Earning potential:  $50-$200+ in a day

Focus groups are a lot like surveys, but the key difference here is that they pay much more.  I’m talking $50 to more than $200+ for only a few hours of your time.  And, the nice thing is that there are focus groups located everywhere throughout the United States.  The main difference here is that you have to meet in person, but it’s not as bad as you think.

If you don’t know where to start looking, don’t worry; I got you.  You can refer to this paid online focus group guide that showcases some of the larger companies that may want to recruit you.

Depending on when the focus study is, you could earn cash on the spot in as little as a week.  Nonetheless, it’s a nice way to earn money throughout the year.

#6 Medical Research

Earning potential:  $50-$1,00+ in a day

This one is a bit extreme, but it’s a way to make more than $1,000 if you’re willing to test new medicine, procedures, etc.  Sometimes, it can be much more.

Yes, there’s a risk involved, such as testing a new medicine, but if it’s something you are interested in, you can always talk with your doctor to discuss the risks involved.  Of course, you will be dealing with trained medical professionals/researchers.  This isn’t some fly-by-not alley operation.  Sometimes, these medical studies don’t require medicine intake; rather, they may study sleep patterns or even help you with a condition you may already have.

If this is something you’re interested in, there are tens of thousands of studies being conducted around the United States right now.  You can view the many databases view this guide.

#7 Join Upwork to Freelance

Earning potential:  $10-$200+ a day

I love Upwork for the fact that it’s a great way to start freelancing immediately.  Granted, there’s a lot of competition on the platform and you have to have some sort of talent, it’s a way to make money fast.

And, while I stress that you need talent, I’m sure there’s something you can do from the list mentioned here…

This is just a pinch of what’s available.

If you’re willing to work with clients and you feel you can do good work, Upwork is, by far, one of the largest freelancing platforms.  Be sure to know that you may not get a job immediately, but you may have to undercut your competition to start getting accepted to jobs.  From there, this networking may lead to a lot of work to become more than a part-time opportunity.

Check it out if you’re interested in any sort of freelancing.

NOTE:  Upwork isn’t the only option in town, either.  Check out the more than 25+ sites that work just like it.



#8 Pet Sit and/or Dog Walk With Rover

Earning potential:  $10-$45+ a day

Do you love dogs (or cats)?

If so, there are many owners nearby that need you to walk their dogs or even watch them while they are away on vacation.

Rover works just like the freelance site mentioned prior, only that you will create a profile and then wait for someone to contact you.  Yes, you will have to build a reputation to see more inquiries come in, but if you’re cheap enough in the beginning and you can bring references, then you may be able to jumpstart your ratings.

You can also check out Wag, which is an app/website that connects you with dog owners who need you to walk their dog daily.  This alone can net you $20+ per walk.

#9 Sign Up for TaskRabbit

Earning potential:  $25-$200+ a day

TaskRabbit is a platform that connects you with people in your area who are willing to pay you to complete tasks.

And, this can be a variety of tasks, from assembling furniture to grocery shopping.  If it’s a task, someone may request your help.

All you need to do sign up for the app, complete the application process, and then wait to get approved (should take a few days).  Once approved, you can then view a list of jobs in your area and bid on them.  If someone accepts your bid, then you get to work and easily make $300 fast.

#10 Take Advantage of Bank and Credit Card Bonuses

Earning potential:  $50-$500+

This one can take some time, maybe up to four to eight weeks, but it’s worth it, as some of these bonuses can pay more than $500+.  It takes very minimal effort.

As long as you have good credit and you can either meet a minimum spend amount for a credit card or a deposit in the case of opening a bank account, it’s not that hard.  I have taken advantage of so many of these offers and consistently earn $100+ bonuses.  And, the great thing is that there are a ton of them.

Since this list is massive, DoctorOfCredit.com consistently keeps his bank account bonuses and credit card bonuses list active.  Every credit card and bank bonus is different, so make sure you read the fine print to know what’s expected of you to take advantage.  Check out his list to see which bonuses you can take advantage of today.  This is, by far, one of the quickest ways to earn $300 fast.

#11 Garage Sale

Earning potential:  $50-$200+

This one may seem obvious, but I feel this is one of the best ways to make $300 fast, no matter where you live.

I know I mentioned selling online, but a garage sale can get you money even faster, as people will come to you.  Just plan on investing a few hours of your day on a Saturday morning.

Put a listing on Craigslist, your local Facebook group and even slap some signs on your street.  I have done this a few times and can easily make $150+ selling a lot of stuff collecting dust.  Even if you don’t think it will sell, throw it in the driveway to see what some people may offer.

#12 Rent Out Your Room

Earning potential:  $30-$100+ a day

This option is a bit extreme, but I wanted to add it here as it can earn you $300 fast.

As long as you don’t mind sharing your house with strangers, listing a room on Airbnb can bring in $300 in less than a week, especially if you live in a touristy area.  It has been said that renting out just a room can easily net you at least $50 a night.

This is a great option if you don’t want to commit to a year-long roommate.  Worst case, if you hate your first experience, you can always turn your account off.

#13 Test Websites

Earning potential:  $5-$10+ a day

This one is a lot like surveys and it won’t make you a lot of money.  However, if you want to make money right now, it’s an option to consider.

In short, companies want you to test websites/apps and are looking for people like you to provide feedback.  It will be your job to download an app and then browse it while speaking your thoughts out loud.  Most jobs take about 10 minutes to complete and pay about $10 on average.  Again, it’s not much, but it can help add to your account to get to that $300.

Major websites such as UserTesting and Userlytics work with hundreds of companies, but there are many more I highlighted in this post.  As long as you’re comfortable speaking your thoughts out loud, it’s something to at least check out.

#14 Mystery Shopping

Earning potential:  $5-$40+ a day

Mystery shopping is one of the best ways to not only get freebies, such as a free lunch of a few dollars worth of groceries, but it can pay up to $50 per visit.

If you’re not familiar with the process, it will involve you going undercover as a “mystery shopper.”  It will be your duty to follow the directions given to you and then you will report back with your findings.  For example, was the bathroom clean?  How long did it take to get your food?  Was the burger good?  It’s fairly straightforward before you accept the job and there are a ton of companies out there.

The great thing is that you can start almost immediately and no matter where you live, you should be able to find quite a few jobs.  To learn more about the process, I highly encourage you to check out my free mystery shopping guide.  Here, I talk about the more than 75+ legitimate mystery shopping companies that you can apply to right now.

#15 Sell Gift Cards Instantly

Earning potential:  $5-$40+

Have any gift cards lying around the house that you won’t use?

If so, you may want to consider selling them to a company that will offer you cash instantly.  Granted, it won’t be for the amount specified, but in most cases, you can get at least 50 to 60% back.

There are a lot of companies out there, so I recommend you check out which ones are willing to buy your gift cards today.

#16 Sell Plasma

Earning potential:  $25-$50+ per visit

As long as you’re not afraid of needles, plasma is a great way to get money now.  It won’t be $300 at first, but your visit could net you $50 or so.

Plasma companies are often in need of donors, and if you’re a first-time customer, they often offer bonuses/incentives to get you in the door.  And, no matter where you live, there will be a variety of locations nearby.

This is one you can start today, as long as you meet the qualifications.  To know how the process works as well as who’s paying, check out this in-depth guide I created a few months ago.

Final Thoughts

There you have it.  There are a variety of ways to make $300 fast, and of course, it’s all ethical.

Whether you want to make money online or in person, these options will make you money.  How much will depend on how much you put into it.  I promise that if you put at least some effort into it, you can make some cash.

That’s going to do it for now.

As always, if you want to add to my list or you want to comment on what I have already written, you’re more than welcome to do so in the comments below.

Want $5 free?



Try out Swagbucks, the most popular reward program I make the most money with. Simply answer survey questions and get paid!

Join Now to Get $5!

Tom Nathaniel

Hi! My name is Tom Nathaniel, and I created LushDollar to help share my honest thoughts on everything money. You won't find gimmicks here. It's the Internet's most honest money site after all. I graduated from Arizona State University, and I have worked in the finance industry since 2006, consulting with multiple Fortune 5000 companies.

Add comment