Bare‐Minimum Money‐Makers

What if you could add some steady cash flow to your monthly income without turning it into a second job? Real passive income that isn’t tied to a “get rich quick” scheme, but small, sustainable streams that require minimal ongoing effort once you set them up.

Whether it's maximizing what you already own, optimizing your savings, or creating something once that sells forever, opportunity is everywhere. Keep reading to get started!

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The beauty of passive income is that it puts in the work for you for months or years to come. Instead of trading huge amounts of your time for money at a traditional job, these strategies let you build assets that generate income whether you're working, sleeping, or on vacation. The key is to start with what you already have and gradually build from there.

🏠 Monetize What You Already Own

Your biggest passive income opportunity might be sitting right under your roof. That spare room, basement, or even extra closet space can generate steady monthly income with minimal effort after the initial setup.

• Room rentals: Airbnb hosts earn approximately $14,000+ over the year

• Storage rentals on Neighbor range from $60-$180/month for garages, basements, or closets

• Parking spots in urban areas can run travelers and commuters alike $140–$440/month. Rent our your space with apps like JustPark, SpotHero and Spacer.

💳 High-Yield Savings & Investment Basics

This may not sound exciting, but optimizing your savings and basic investments can lead to significant returns with minimal setup!

• High-Yield Savings (HYSA): Traditional savings accounts have abysmal interest rates (think 0.01%), but high-yield accounts can earn you as much as 4% on your rainy day fund! Our favorite is Capital One (not sponsored!).

• Certificates of Deposit (CDs): If you can afford not to touch your money for an extended period of time, this route can definitely pay off in the long run.

• Index Funds and ETFs: Who doesn’t love extra ways to diversify your portfolio? This is a great way to invest in a variety of assets with reduced risk.

📱 Digital Products That Sell Forever

Create once, sell repeatedly. The key is to start with your existing expertise and solve specific problems you already understand.

• Templates & tools: From resume templates to meeting agendas, sell your skills on Etsy or blog sites, and market your products on social media.

• Guides & checklists: Cheat sheets, or how-tos on things you do daily can bring people a lot of value (and extra income for you).

• Stock photos: Even smartphone shots can earn anywhere from $0.10-$8/per photo.

🚀 Your Next Steps

Building passive income is all about taking consistent action. Whether it’s listing your spare room, opening a HYSA, or creating your first digital template, the important thing is to start. Pick one strategy from this list, commit to it for the next 90 days, and watch as your financial foundation grows stronger one month at a time.

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We have major business and personal news to share!

Tune in to our podcast, Two Cents, to hear more about our experience making the TIME100 Creators list, updates about our podcast's sponsor, our home renovation plans, and our ill-fated trip to Philadelphia to interview workers on strike.

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• TIME100 Creators 🎊 We made the inaugural list of most influential creators!

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• What are the best companies? 🏆 These are leading for pay and benefits.

See you next week for more career tips, money moves, and AI-proof advice! 💚