Is dragging down the slow step? Keystrokes should be faster.
Such as edit one cell - F2, then cycle through F4 options to get $ signs as you need, enter, up arrow to go back to that cell. SHIFT, CTRL-DOWN ARROW, CTRL-D
Or fractionally quicker in the other order. SHIFT, CTRL-DOWN ARROW, F2, F4 as required, CTRL-D
OK?
Or with the mouse, instead of drag down, double click on the cells lower border