€300 a month. It's not a life-changing amount, but it's the kind of money that makes a difference: it covers a gym membership, a tank of fuel, a few dinners out. For many people it's equivalent to an extra paycheck at the end of the month. And the interesting part is that with peer-to-peer rental, it's a concretely achievable goal even starting from scratch — without investing anything new, using only items you already own.
In this guide we walk you through the step-by-step strategy: which items to choose, how to publish listings that get requests, how to manage bookings efficiently and a 90-day action plan to reach the target.
Why €300/Month Is a Realistic Goal
Before diving into strategy, it helps to understand why this number isn't an empty promise. €300 net per month equals approximately €10 per day. With three items each generating an average of €3–4 net daily, the target is already achieved — and we're not talking about rare or expensive items.
An electric scooter at €12/day, rented 8 days a month, generates about €90 net. A mirrorless camera at €30/day, rented 6 days a month, generates €165 net. A trekking tent at €14/day, rented 4 times a month, adds another €50. Total: about €305 net per month with three items and fewer than one rental every two days.
💡 The key principle: you don't need many items. You need the right items, polished listings and market-aligned prices. Three well-chosen items beat ten items published poorly.
Step 1 — Choose the Right Items
The formula: one everyday item, one high-value item, one seasonal item
The most active lenders on Lendmates almost universally follow the same portfolio logic: one high-turnover item (requested often, medium-low price), one high-margin item (requested less often but at a higher price), and one seasonal item that captures demand peaks at certain times of year.
This combination guarantees a distributed flow of bookings throughout the year, avoiding the dead months that hit those who depend on a single seasonal item.
| Item type | Indicative price/day | Average turnover | Est. monthly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric scooter | €10–15 | 8–12 days/month | €75–160 |
| Mirrorless camera | €25–40 | 5–8 days/month | €115–290 |
| Road bike | €20–35 | 6–10 days/month | €110–315 |
| 3–4 person tent | €12–18 | 4–8 days/month | €43–130 |
| Drill + bit set | €8–12 | 6–12 days/month | €43–130 |
| Ski set + boots | €15–25 | 5–10 days/month (seasonal) | €68–225 |
| 4K drone | €30–50 | 4–7 days/month | €108–315 |
Check the ranking of the 10 most rented items in Italy in 2026 to understand what's in highest demand in your area. And see our detailed guide on lender earnings on Lendmates for category-by-category simulations.
Step 2 — Publish Listings That Convert
Photos: the number-one factor
No other listing element has the same impact as photos. A listing with dark or blurry images receives on average 60–70% fewer requests than one with bright, well-composed shots. Read our complete guide to photographing rental items — it's worth ten minutes of your time.
Description: details that make the difference
Borrowers want answers to three questions before booking: what exactly is it, what condition is it in, what does it include. Write the precise model, year of purchase, current condition, all included accessories and any usage restrictions.
Pricing right from the start
The most effective starting point is the 1% rule: set the daily price at 1% of the item's current market value. A €800 scooter → €8–10/day. A €2,500 camera → €25–30/day. Read our complete rental pricing guide to go deeper.
💚 Practical tip: before publishing, search Lendmates for other listings in the same category in your city. If they exist, look at the prices that have the most reviews and position yourself in that range. The local market is your best benchmark.
The 90-Day Growth Plan
Month 1: launch and optimize
Publish your first listing with polished photos and a detailed description. Set the price in the mid-market range. In the first ten days, monitor views received: if the listing has many views but few requests, the problem is likely price or photos. Target: 4–6 completed rentals, €80–120 earned, first review obtained.
Month 2: add the second item
With the first listing optimized and working, add a second item from a different category. If the first is high-turnover (scooter, drill), the second should be high-margin (camera, drone). Target: two active listings, 10–14 total rentals, €180–220 earned.
Month 3: the third item and stable rhythm
The third item completes the portfolio. Choose something seasonal that covers current demand: summer gear if you're entering summer, skis or snowboard if winter approaches. Target: three active listings, €280–350 earned, profile with at least 8–10 positive reviews.
"I didn't think it was possible to earn that much with my old DSLR. The first month I made €180 almost without noticing. Now I've added the drone and I regularly reach €350."
🎯 The 90-day rule: three months, three items, three optimization steps. Those who follow this plan and maintain a high response rate reach the €300/month target within the third month 70% of the time.