Making money outside of a typical 9-to-5 isn’t just a dream. Passive income doesn’t have to mean owning rentals or investing in stocks—though those work too. There are plenty of simple, creative ways to grow your income. Here are nine surprising ideas to earn cash while you sleep, walk the dog, or watch TV.
Rent Out Storage Space
Got extra room in your garage or basement? Turn it into money. People are always looking for affordable places to store their stuff. Platforms like Neighbor make it easy to list and manage your space. It’s like being a landlord, but without tenants living in your house.
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Create and Sell Printables
You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create printables people will pay for. Think budget planners, meal prep layouts, or even cute calendars. Websites like Etsy are perfect for selling these kinds of digital products, and once you’ve made them, there’s no inventory to worry about. And the best part is that your one-time effort can make money for months or years.
Review Products on Amazon
As part of the Amazon Influencer Program you can create 30-60 second video reviews on products you already own and upload them to Amazon. If a customer watches your video and makes a purchase, you’ll earn commission. It’s simple to get accepted into the program. You don’t have to post anything on social media–in fact, you can do this without even showing your face…here’s how to start.
License Your Photography
Do you love taking photos? You can make money from your pictures with little effort. Websites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock pay you every time someone downloads your images. Whether it’s landscapes or random everyday shots, there’s a market for almost anything. Grab your camera and start earning from your hobby.
Rent Tools and Equipment
Your unused equipment and tools can make you money. Things like cameras to lawnmowers to camping gear, there’s always someone out there who needs what you have but doesn’t want to buy it. Apps like Fat Llama connect you to renters in your area. You just list your stuff, and when someone rents it, you earn.
Start a Vending Machine Business
Did you know that you can place snack or drink machines in local businesses with high foot traffic. Once set up, it’s mostly hands-off, aside from restocking and collecting the money. A well-placed machine can pay off the startup costs quickly and keep earning with minimal work.
Sell Stock Music
If you’ve got an ear for music, this one’s for you. Royalty-free music is always in demand for advertisements, videos, and podcasts. Platforms like Pond5 or AudioJungle allow you to sell your original tracks again and again. Whether you’re into creating catchy jingles or relaxing background music, there’s an audience for it.
Invest in Real Estate Crowdfunding
You don’t need tons of money to get into real estate anymore. Crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise or RealtyMogul let you invest in real estate projects with as little as $10-$1,000. Instead of buying a property and managing it yourself, you earn through dividends or property appreciation, all while someone else handles the work.
Make Money From Your Car
Your parked car can pay you. Companies like Turo let you rent out your car when you’re not using it. Or, you can slap an advertisement on your vehicle through services like Wrapify and earn money just by driving as you normally would. These options require minimal effort but can bring in decent extra cash.
Publish Your Own Books
You can create and publish your own books and journals and sell them on Amazon KDP. This is a great option because you don’t pay any fees until you make a sale. Amazon will print your book, ship it to your customer, and handle all customer service, returns, etc. It’s surprisingly simple to do with this step-by-step tutorial.
Start Small and Build Up
Passive income doesn’t have to start big. Try one simple idea with little risk and see how it goes. Once it works, add more streams and grow your earnings. It won’t make you rich overnight, but it can lead to more financial freedom over time.
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