Have you ever dreamed of leaving your 9-to-5 behind and quitting your day job? While it might sound crazy at first, it is possible to use your money and assets to build income streams and lower your financial stress.
Once you make your money work for you, you'll have the cushion to pursue other passions beyond work. Here are 10 ways you can earn income without working a day job so that you can live life on your terms.
These strategies could be combined to help you earn even more passive income.
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Renting out your things
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It has never been easier to rent out your assets, whether that be your car, your house, or your lawn care or sports equipment.
Websites like Turo, for example, allow you to rent out your car to others when you're not using it. The company reports that on average, cars on the site net $634 per month. Generating passive income streams through rentals is a great way to build financial independence.
Starting a high-yield savings account
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High-yield savings accounts generally offer a higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts. That means if you put a good chunk of change in them, your money can grow with minimal effort as you earn more interest on the money deposited.
By taking advantage of the effects of compound interest, you can earn interest on your initial deposit plus the accumulated interest from previous periods. All you have to do is deposit money, and the interest accrues automatically.
Investing in real estate
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While investing in a rental property can be a lot of work upfront, real estate ownership is a popular way to build an additional stream of income.
But if you don't want to purchase a piece of property outright and become a landlord, you could consider looking into Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These companies own and operate commercial properties and pay out to investors as dividends.
Given the current housing crunch in the country, real estate investment could be a stable way to make passive income.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
Sign up for a free debt assessment here.
Buying bonds
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Companies and governments issue bonds as a way to raise capital. As a result, when you buy the bond, you're essentially lending the issuer money. Then, the issuer makes interest payments to the investor either quarterly, twice yearly, or annually. When the bond reaches maturity, the principal is paid back to the investor.
As a result, bonds can be a reliable way to provide a steady income. Since they're backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, you can rest assured that you will get paid.
Selling digital products
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Whether it's photos, courses, e-books, printables, or other types of graphics, selling a digital product online is a great way to earn extra income.
Often, there is no physical cost to making these products, making it a no-brainer. From digital art sales on Etsy to licensing your photos on a site like Shutterstock, monetizing your digital footprint is a great way to generate a steady income every month.
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Buying dividend-paying stocks
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Many companies pay out a monthly, quarterly, or yearly dividend to their stockholders. Coca-Cola, Costco, and AT&T are just a few companies that pay out dividends. Because you don't need to actively manage or trade these shares, that money can accumulate over time and provide a steady and predictable income stream.
Peer-to-peer lending
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As a peer-to-peer lender, you will lend your money to another private individual at an agreed-upon rate, without going through a bank or other financial institution. Typically, lenders get a better return on their cash savings by doing so. The borrower then makes monthly payments that include both principal and interest.
You should be aware that the loan is unsecured and carries more risk, and you'll need a decent amount of capital and a strong business network to get started. But it's a great way to make your money work for you with minimal effort.
Monetizing a YouTube (or similar) channel
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It has never been easier to become a digital content creator, whether it's a YouTube channel, podcast, TikTok, blog, or other social media platform.
If you've got a lot of creativity and you're able to produce content consistently, this can be a winning strategy. Just remember, it takes time and consistent work to get your channel to the point where it can be monetized.
Moving or downsizing
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If you already have a remote job or you are planning on getting one, downsizing your current residence and moving to a low-cost state or country can be a winning move to maximize your income potential.
Looking into other cities where the cost of living is lower is a great way to keep more cash in your wallet. While there will be costs associated with moving, in the long run, you'll be earning the same money working remotely, affording you a better overall lifestyle.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with a debit card
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover® Cashback Debit account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2 <p>See website for details.</p>
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Learn more about the Discover Cashback Checking account
Bottom line
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You don't need a high-paying job or a trust fund to build out a life without work. If you start investing your money now, you can develop other passive income strategies to create a consistent monthly cash flow.
According to a study from Charles Schwab, only 36% of Americans have a written financial plan. Take a big step forward in your financial life and develop a plan to eventually phase out of work and live life on your own terms.
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