Looking to boost your income without working extra hours? Check out these beginner-friendly passive income ideas that you can start today with little to no investment!
Many people dream of earning passive income. If you have heard the phrase "make money while you sleep", that is what passive income is all about.
💡 My Journey to Passive Income
I've been captivated by the idea of passive income for years, especially after reading several books on financial freedom. This blog you're reading now is one of the projects I've been steadily building, with the aim of creating a reliable stream of passive income while providing valuable content to help others along the way.
I realized early on that the corporate world wasn't for me. I dreaded my last day job and knew I couldn't spend years in a role that drained my energy and left me unfulfilled.
I didn't want a high-paying job either if it would only chain me to a desk for eight hours a day, five days a week, for most of the year. Instead, I wanted the freedom to be more present for my family and the flexibility to pursue my passions. After all, we can always earn money, but we can never reclaim the time we've lost, right?
That's why passive income appealed to me—it offers the opportunity to have more control over your time while still earning, whether you're awake or asleep.
What Is Passive Income?
Passive income is an income earned without actively working for it. With passive income, you don't have to actively trade your time for money, like we do with a regular 9-5 job. However, to start earning passively, you have to put in the initial effort and investment but after a while, that investment will make you money even while you're asleep.
Suffice it to say, passive income is your initial big step toward financial independence.
🎯 Key Benefits of Passive Income
- Time Freedom: Work on your own schedule, not someone else's
- Location Independence: Earn from anywhere in the world
- Scalability: Your income isn't limited by the hours you work
- Financial Security: Multiple income streams reduce risk
- Long-term Wealth: Build assets that appreciate over time
17 Best Passive Income Ideas for Beginners with No Money
There are a LOT of ways to do it, but these tips are geared toward those who initially have nothing or very little to invest.
If you're just getting started with passive income, this list contains great business ideas to start with or to mix into your financial strategy. The best thing about passive income is that you can have as many sources as you like and can combine different income streams.
1. Printables
💰 Investment Required: $0-50
What it is: Selling printables is one of my top recommended sources of passive income. It's beginner-friendly, as it requires minimal upfront costs. With user-friendly graphic design tools like Canva, you can easily create printables such as planner pages, stickers, invitations, brochures, and flyers—no professional design experience needed.
Why it works: One of the best things about selling printables is that there's no physical inventory involved. Once you've created a product, you can sell it over and over again without worrying about restocking, making it a low-maintenance and hassle-free way to generate passive income.
How to get started: Create designs using Canva or similar tools, set up an Etsy shop, and start selling. Consider taking the E-Printables Side Hustle Course for guidance and templates.
2. Blogging
💰 Investment Required: $2.75-50/month
What it is: Many people are skeptical about the idea that starting a blog can generate passive income—I was one of them. I didn't believe it either until I experienced it firsthand!
Why it works: As I often mention, blogging is an excellent business idea because it's incredibly affordable to start and has the potential for a high return on investment. Successful bloggers can earn anywhere from $10,000 to hundreds of thousands per month. The best part? They work on their own schedules, from wherever they choose.
Income streams:
- Blog value appreciation: Your blog increases in value over time and can be sold for thousands
- Affiliate Marketing: Earn commissions by promoting products you believe in
- Display Ads: Earn money when readers view ads on your site
- Sponsored Content: Get paid to write about brands and products
- Digital Products: Sell courses, ebooks, and other digital products
Success example: Take Michelle of Making Sense of Cents for example—she consistently earns over $100,000 per month from her blog.
3. Affiliate Marketing
💰 Investment Required: $0-100
What it is: Bloggers, content creators, and ordinary individuals can also take advantage of affiliate marketing, a fantastic way to generate passive income without much upfront investment. Affiliate marketing works by placing an affiliate link on your blog, social media content, and other platforms to promote a product or service. You earn a commission for every sale made through that affiliate link.
Why it works: As a blogger, affiliate marketing is one of my favorite ways to monetize my blog. It's a simple yet effective method of generating revenue by creating content that resonates with your target audience. For example, if your blog focuses on parenting, you can promote affiliate products that are valuable to parents and families.
How to get started: Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Commission Junction. Create valuable content and naturally incorporate affiliate links. Always disclose your affiliate relationships.
4. eBooks
💰 Investment Required: $0-200
What it is: Another way to make passive income without much investment is by writing and selling eBooks. This has been at the top of my list that I also aspire to accomplish one day.
Why it works: Writing eBooks is the way to go if you want to become a published author without going through the traditional publishing route. I believe writing an eBook is easier than you might think. Your main investment is your knowledge, passion, and experience.
How to get started: Choose a topic you're knowledgeable about, write your content, format it properly, and publish on platforms like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, or your own website.
5. Low-Content Books
💰 Investment Required: $0-100
What it is: Low-content books are books that require minimal text, such as journals, planners, coloring books, and workbooks. These are perfect for passive income because they can be created relatively quickly and sold repeatedly.
Why it works: These books are in high demand, especially journals and planners. Once created, they can generate income for years with minimal maintenance.
How to get started: Create designs using Canva or similar tools, format them as books, and publish on Amazon KDP. Focus on trending topics and seasonal themes.
6. Stock Photos
💰 Investment Required: $0-500
What it is: If you have a good camera or even a smartphone, you can take high-quality photos and sell them on stock photo websites.
Why it works: Every time someone downloads your photo, you earn a royalty. Popular photos can generate income for years.
How to get started: Take high-quality photos, edit them professionally, and upload to platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Unsplash. Focus on in-demand subjects like business, lifestyle, and technology.
7. Canva Templates
💰 Investment Required: $0-50
What it is: Create and sell customizable templates for social media posts, presentations, flyers, and other marketing materials.
Why it works: Businesses and individuals are always looking for professional-looking templates. Once created, you can sell them repeatedly.
How to get started: Use Canva to create professional templates, set up a shop on Etsy or your own website, and start selling. Focus on trending designs and seasonal content.
8. YouTube Content Creator
💰 Investment Required: $0-500
What it is: Create videos on topics you're passionate about and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
Why it works: YouTube videos can generate passive income for years after creation. Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can monetize through YouTube Partner Program.
How to get started: Choose your niche, create valuable content consistently, optimize for SEO, and engage with your audience. Focus on evergreen content that remains relevant over time.
9. Print on Demand
💰 Investment Required: $0-100
What it is: Create designs for t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other products without holding inventory. The platform handles printing and shipping.
Why it works: No upfront costs for inventory. You only pay when someone buys your product. Great for testing designs without financial risk.
How to get started: Use platforms like Printful, Teespring, or Redbubble. Create designs using Canva or similar tools, upload to the platform, and start selling.
10. Rent Out Your Stuff
💰 Investment Required: $0-200
What it is: Rent out items you already own but don't use regularly, such as cameras, tools, equipment, or even your car.
Why it works: Turn unused items into income generators. Many people prefer renting over buying for occasional use.
How to get started: List your items on platforms like Fat Llama, Turo (for cars), or local Facebook groups. Take good photos and set competitive prices.
11. High-Yield Savings Account
💰 Investment Required: Any amount
What it is: Move your money from a regular savings account to a high-yield savings account that offers better interest rates.
Why it works: While not a huge income generator, it's completely passive and risk-free. Every little bit helps build your wealth.
How to get started: Research banks offering the best rates (currently 4-5% APY), open an account, and transfer your savings. Consider online banks for better rates.
12. Crowdfunded Real Estate
💰 Investment Required: $500-5,000
What it is: Invest in real estate projects with other investors through crowdfunding platforms without buying property directly.
Why it works: Access to real estate investments with lower minimums. Earn rental income and potential appreciation without property management responsibilities.
How to get started: Use platforms like Fundrise, RealtyMogul, or CrowdStreet. Start with small amounts to learn the process.
13. Peer-to-Peer Lending
💰 Investment Required: $25-1,000
What it is: Lend money to individuals or small businesses through online platforms and earn interest on your loans.
Why it works: You can earn 3-8% interest, which is higher than most savings accounts. Diversify across multiple loans to reduce risk.
How to get started: Use platforms like Lending Club or Prosper. Start with small amounts and diversify across many loans to minimize risk.
14. Create an Online Course
💰 Investment Required: $0-500
What it is: Create and sell online courses on topics you're knowledgeable about. Once created, they can generate income for years.
Why it works: A lot of people have been making a decent amount of money from this strategy. Online courses can be anything you're knowledgeable and passionate about.
How to get started: Choose your topic, create course content (videos, worksheets, etc.), and host on platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Thinkific. Start with Teachable's free plan.
15. Flipping Blogs
💰 Investment Required: $500-5,000
What it is: Buy existing blogs with traffic and income potential, improve them, and sell for a profit.
Why it works: A lot of people go into blogging only to abandon it some months or years later. You can buy these blogs and turn them into profitable ventures.
How to get started: Look for blogs for sale on Flippa, Empire Flippers, or FE International. Focus on blogs with existing traffic and monetization potential. Improve content and traffic, then sell for a higher price.
16. Rent Out Your Extra Space
💰 Investment Required: $0-1,000
What it is: Rent out spare rooms, basements, or your entire home when you're not using it.
Why it works: If you want to get the hang of investing in real estate but don't have the experience or upfront cash for it yet, you could start with renting that extra space you have at home.
How to get started: List your space on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms. Take great photos, set competitive prices, and provide excellent customer service for good reviews.
17. Micro-Investing Apps
💰 Investment Required: $5-100
What it is: Use apps like Acorns or Robinhood to start investing with small amounts of money.
Why it works: Investing can seem like an entirely new world for some people, but you don't need to invest huge sums of money right away to get started.
🌰 Acorns
Rounds up your purchases and invests the spare change automatically. Start with as little as $5 and invest in ETFs under Vanguard.
🦅 Robinhood
Trade stocks, options, cryptocurrencies, and ETFs for free. No commission fees and no minimum deposit required to create an account.
🎯 Key Success Tips
- Start small: Don't try to do everything at once. Pick 1-2 methods and master them first
- Be consistent: Passive income requires initial work. Stay consistent with your efforts
- Diversify: Don't rely on just one income stream. Build multiple sources
- Track everything: Monitor your income and expenses to see what's working
- Be patient: Passive income takes time to build. Don't expect overnight success
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
✅ Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose your first method - Pick 1-2 passive income ideas that interest you most
- Research thoroughly - Learn everything you can about your chosen methods
- Start with minimal investment - Test the waters before committing more money
- Create a schedule - Set aside time each week to work on your passive income projects
- Track your progress - Monitor your income and adjust your strategy as needed
- Scale up gradually - Once one method is working, add another income stream
- Stay consistent - Remember that passive income requires initial effort
- Be patient - Building passive income takes time, but the results are worth it
Final Thoughts
Most of us are wired to think that you need a good amount of money to invest, but the truth is, there are several ways to invest even with zero to little financial output.
One or more of these beginner passive income ideas may work for you, but the key is to find where your passion lies and your determination to learn the ins and outs of these investment vehicles.
These beginner passive income ideas also do not promise to make you rich overnight. It also does not eliminate the legwork. At most, what you need to invest initially is your time and interest, and in some instances, some muscle work. But you will learn as you go and over time, you will start reaping the rewards of your passive income sources.
Ready to Start Building Passive Income?
The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is now.
Your future self will thank you for taking this step today.
