If you want to make passive income, but don’t have a lot of cash on hand, there are a few ways you can get started. Some of these can be fairly straightforward and involve minimal time and effort upfront, while others require a bit more work in the long run.
1. Invest in Index Funds or ETFs
If you’re looking for a low-cost way to diversify your portfolio, investing in index funds or ETFs may be a good option. They can offer a variety of benefits passive income, including lower fees and more consistent performance.
They also can help you avoid trading fees that come with actively managed mutual funds. However, you should be sure to compare the overall costs of both assets before making your investment decision.
An index fund is a passive investment that tracks or matches a particular market index. Investors typically choose an index that closely matches the S&P 500 or another large market index.
2. Become a Peer-to-Peer Lender
Peer-to-peer lending is a type of crowdfunding that allows investors to loan money to people who need it. Investors are matched with borrowers and earn interest on the loans they fund.
But before you invest in peer-to-peer lending, perform the same due diligence as with any investment: Read the fine print and determine if the platform will protect both borrowers and lenders.
If you do invest in peer-to-peer lending, remember that these loans are not FDIC insured, which means your money could be at risk if the company you’re investing through goes under.
To minimize your risk, many platforms encourage you to diversify your investments across multiple borrowers. By spreading your money out among many borrowers, you reduce the risk of a single borrower defaulting and taking away all your hard-earned capital.
3. Invest in Real Estate
Investing in real estate can be a great way to create passive income. But, like any other investment strategy, it takes time to find the right opportunities and you have to be prepared to work hard.
There are many ways to make money in real estate, from owning a rental property to flipping houses and investing in farmland. The biggest key to success is finding a strategy that fits your unique situation and goals.
For example, you can invest in a real estate company that is managed by a professional. Fundrise is one of my favorite options and you can start with as little as $10. They also offer different strategies based on your goals, and you don’t have to be an accredited investor to get started.
4. Create a Job Board
If you’re an expert in a niche area and want to establish yourself as an authority, you could consider creating a job board. These platforms are becoming increasingly popular, and they can offer several benefits to both employers and job seekers.
Employers are often able to find candidates more easily through job boards, since they are typically specialized and focused on specific industries or roles. This can help them save money in the long run.
Recruiters also benefit from the ability to post jobs on multiple boards with one submission. By combining this with world-class recruiting software like Workable, they can sift through the applications that match their hiring needs and reach the best talent.
5. Rent Out Your Stuff
One of the easiest ways to make passive income is to rent out your stuff. This can be anything from unused items in your closet to extra space in your yard.
Whether it’s clothing, equipment or even an RV you have, there are plenty of websites to list them on. These sites will promote them for you, take care of customer inquiries and payments, vet potential renters, and even handle the insurance if anything happens.
Conclusion
Alternatively, if you have a vehicle that doesn’t get used very often, you can rent it out on peer-to-peer car rental sites like Turo and Getaround. This will allow you to turn the time that you don’t use your vehicle into cash flow.
