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Americans are all feeling a strain on their bank accounts as prices rise and wages stagnate, leaving many anxiously seeking ways to make extra money on the side to cover expenses that are suddenly out of budget. Whether it's saving money or earning more, here are some great ways to put $300 or more back in your wallet.
Set up direct deposit - pocket $400
Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps.
Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.00% APY1 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on savings for up to six months (3.10% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.2 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a></p> That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)3 <p>Based on <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps">this</a> FDIC data, as of 6/15/26.</p> national average savings accounts offer.
No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus
Drive as a side hustle
If you have a car (and a valid driver's license), you can earn extra money by driving for an app like Uber, Lyft, or Instacart. The pay is variable, but you have a lot of flexibility about when to work and whether to accept requests. It's very easy to add a driving routine into your current schedule and make an additional $300 a week.
Open a bank account offering a bonus
When banks want to bring in new customers, they will often offer bonuses to start a new account. There are usually terms and conditions and minimum qualifications that must be met, but it's an easy way to get free money within a couple of weeks.
Cancel some of your subscriptions
Axing your Netflix subscription isn't going to suddenly allow you to buy a house, but it could definitely put a few bucks back in your pocket each month. Seemingly everything is a subscription these days, so it is worth auditing what you're actually using to see if you can cancel or combine some to lower your recurring monthly bills.
Even if you don't really want to get rid of one of your streamers, if you try to cancel a streaming service, you'll likely be offered a lower promotional rate for a few months if you stay.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.4 <p>Please note that all calls with the company may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating. "Debt-Free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Results vary.</p>
Sign up for a free debt assessment here.
Negotiate down your bills
A few phone calls could dramatically reduce your recurring monthly bills. Not every bill can be negotiated, but many can, especially when the competitor is offering better deals. Things like cell phone plans, car insurance, and even credit card interest rates can all be negotiated to a lower monthly fee.
If you haven't had any tickets or accidents, you can likely lower your car insurance rates by threatening to shop around when it's time for renewal. If you've been with your mobile service provider for a few years, they may offer you a lower monthly rate to keep you from switching to a company offering new customers a promotion.
Use a cash-back credit card
If you pay your bills with a cash-back credit card, and then use your checking account to pay off the credit card, it will technically lower the amount you pay each month while also building up your credit score. The trick is to make sure you aren't charging more than you can pay because you don't want to fall into heavy debts.
Sell some of your unused items
This is a two-for-one trick that can feel like paying yourself to clean your own home. A good general rule is that if you haven't used something in more than a year, then you probably aren't going to start. That breadmaker that's been sitting in a cupboard since the pandemic? List that bad boy on Facebook Marketplace and make some more useful "dough."
Sell unused gift cards
If you still have unused gift cards left from last holiday season, it might be worth selling them to someone who frequents the store. After all, $40 in cash is better than $50 of store credit to some place you don't actually shop.
Do small tasks for locals
Sign up for Taskrabbit and help out people around your town or city with little things around the house, like hanging lights, shoveling snow, assembling furniture, or anything else that people often need assistance completing.
Redeem credit card rewards
A study by LendingTree found that nearly 70% of credit card holders are sitting on unused rewards, and of those nearly a third have accrued over $100. Take a few hours to go over the benefits of all of your cards and make sure you know how the rewards work. Then, see if other credit cards may serve you better by transferring the balance.
Earn $100 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Cardholders can also earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Trade in used electronics
A lot of folks hang on to their old phones, tablets, and laptops to soothe those "just in case" anxieties, but you could be sitting on a few extra hundred dollars. Many retailers, such as Walmart, Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and others, offer trade-in or buy-back programs. The amount varies based on age and condition, but most let you enter in details to get an estimate of the value.
Bottom line
The general public is struggling with basic affordability of necessities, so assurances the economy is doing just fine aren't landing with those looking to eliminate money stress caused by things like the cost of groceries and other things vital to living. Picking up side hustles and tightening the budget can only go so far when the scope of the problem is outside the influence of consumers.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 12 ways to pocket up to $300.
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 10 little weird hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
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Intro Offer
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300
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