I’ve always been interested in ways to make money without clocking in every single day. Over time, I’ve found that passive income doesn’t have to be complicated or reserved for financial gurus. If you’re just looking for some simple ideas to get started, here are ten options I think are worth considering. You don’t have to do them all, just pick one or two that fit your situation.
1. High-Yield Savings Accounts
This is one of the easiest places to start. I moved my savings into a high-yield account a while back, and it was surprising how much more it grew compared to my regular bank. Plenty of online banks offer competitive rates with no monthly fees. For example, online banks like Ally or Marcus often offer better rates than traditional banks, with no monthly fees.
2. Dividend Stocks
If you’re comfortable investing, dividend stocks can be a nice way to collect income over time. I like that many brokers let you start small, sometimes with just a few bucks, and reinvest the dividends automatically.
3. Real Estate Crowdfunding
Owning property isn’t realistic for everyone, but crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise make it possible to invest in real estate without a huge upfront cost. You get a share of the rental income and any potential appreciation.
4. Creating an Online Course
If you have a skill people ask you about, whether it’s dog training, budgeting, or home improvement, you can record a simple course and sell it on Teachable or Udemy. Once it’s live, it can keep earning for you.
5. Selling Digital Products
I’ve seen people make solid income selling things like printable planners, templates, or ebooks. The beauty is you create them once and keep selling without restocking anything.
6. Affiliate Marketing
This is basically sharing products you already use and recommend. When someone buys through your link, you get a commission. It works well with a blog or email list, and it doesn’t cost anything to start.
7. Renting Out Extra Space
If you have a spare bedroom or even just some storage space in your garage, you can rent it out on Airbnb or Neighbor. It’s a simple way to generate extra income from something you already own.
8. Automated Crypto Investing
I know crypto can feel overwhelming, but apps like Coinbase make it easy to automate small purchases and even earn rewards for holding certain coins. Just make sure you understand the risks.
9. Peer-to-Peer Lending
This one isn’t for everyone, but platforms like LendingClub let you loan money to individuals and collect the interest payments. It’s worth researching before you dive in.
10. Micro-Investing Apps
Apps like Acorns round up your spare change from everyday purchases and invest it automatically. It’s one of the simplest ways to get started, especially if you’re busy or don’t feel ready to commit a large sum.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to start building passive income. Sometimes it’s about taking a small step and seeing where it leads. If you’re curious about micro-investing, you can check out Acorns—it’s a straightforward way to begin.
👉 Sign up for Acorns here and start investing your spare change today.
🎯 Ready to start building passive income?