If you don’t already have money, property, or a bunch of investments, you can’t just snap your fingers and start collecting rent checks or stock dividends. The game is rigged that way. Most “passive income” requires an *initial investment*. And when you’re broke, your investment is usually *time*, *skills*, and *creativity*.
So let’s talk about realistic ways to build passive income from the ground up — starting with *nothing but hustle and a phone*.
**1. Create digital content.**
I know, I know — easier said than done. But here’s the thing: you can make YouTube videos, eBooks, online courses, or digital art that sells over and over again. The hard part is in the beginning — the setup, the learning, the patience. But once it’s out there, it can earn you money for years.
**2. Affiliate marketing.**
If you’ve got social media, a blog, or even a small audience, you can promote products you actually use and earn a small commission. You don’t have to buy anything — just talk about what works for you.
**3. Sell print-on-demand items.**
Sites like Redbubble, Teespring, or Etsy let you upload a design or slogan and they handle the printing, shipping, and payments. You make a few dollars every time someone buys something — and you never touch the product.
**4. Write or record what you know.**
Maybe you’ve lived through something — a skill, a story, or just some good old-fashioned wisdom. Turn that into a guide, a blog, or a short book. Amazon Kindle and YouTube are wide open for that.
**5. Invest small, think long.**
Even if you can only afford $10 a week, there are apps that let you invest tiny amounts. It’s not going to make you rich overnight, but it’s a start. It’s *your* seed money for future passive income.
Look, passive income when you’re poor isn’t about quick cash. It’s about building something — slowly — that keeps paying you back later. It’s planting a tree even if you can’t sit in the shade just yet.
So yeah, passive income might *start* as active income — you working your tail off, learning, experimenting, failing, and trying again. But every video, every design, every idea you put out there can turn into a small stream. And a bunch of small streams? That’s a river.
Because even if the system wasn’t built for us — we can still build *our own* version of passive income. One idea at a time.
Don’t wait for “extra money” to start. Use what you’ve got — your voice, your story, your time — and turn it into something that works while you rest.
Hey gurl, I am starting my channel too and retiring in Feb! We can do this!!
Family members rented out their lake house must get big deposits because destruction happens!
Hello Dawn, you can make money in the stock market. I was able to do this with only $2,000.00 to start. After that I would put in maybe $50.00 or $100.00 a month. Before, you do anything like this you need to understand how the stock market works. I recommend watching "Mad Money" on CNBC. He explains things. The host "Jim Cramer" is great at explaining things. He even talks about other investments like a College 529 fund and also if you have a 401K. He actually details that if you have a 401K what you need to do get the company match. Most companies have some kind of match plan for their 401K plans. I started late in life with my 401K so I wanted to maximize my returns so I was 100% in stocks. This also increase the risk. However, as Jim Cramer explained on his show when you are close to retirement you want to change this. I did change this. I went form 100% stock to 40% in bonds in my 401K. I wanted to reduce my risk. Bonds are less risky and he explains this. He even explains that some stocks pay a dividend. That is money you get just for holding a stock. I use the dividend and re-invest in the same stock. This is called compounding. This is another way you can win in the stock market. The banks actually use compounding against you. How? If you have a mortgage on a house. They first add on the interest charges which raise your loan amount and they then use your mortgage payment to pay down your loan. As you pay down your loan on your house things do get better. Just something to think about. Thoughts?
Some people sell their home invest the money and rent passive income ❤❤❤
I'll do the E-Bay thing this winter and declutter this messy house. Win/Win!
As far as I'm concerned, I consider you a part of my family. I love you Dawn. 🫂🫂🫂😘
You know what I can't understand? How businesses are allowed to get away with not hiring people that are disabled and are eager to work. I interviewed at 4 places, and I'm totally blind remember, and they turned me down right away. I've even mentioned that I'm employed! Yeah, I'm struggling
All great ideas, thank you Dawn! I do ebay and etsy, and it has definitely worked for us, for the last 15 yrs❤
Another great video and yeah someone is buying from your listing on Amazon. I got a head wrap you wear in my cart. I love your lashes, looked at some eyelid tapes, and I think the eye brow pencil…but money is tight my pocket squeaks LOL Love ya, hope you have a fantastic day today no matter whatever your doing. Be blessed my witchy faced friend. 🧙🏼🔮🤗❤ I do some online surveys and I scan my receipts for some extra money with stuff I buy anyway so I do end up paying less in the end as I build up enough for a payout.
Love these ideas, Dawn.