Jan 13, 2026

6 Passive Income Strategies Making Me Rich

Written by Cindy Lamothe
|
Edited by Brendan McGinley
percentage sign 100 dollar bills stack cash money investing concept_iStock-1855036710

Every wise finance article on the internet will share one common piece of advice: Don't put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to investing.



Diversifying, according to experts, is one of the best moves you can make towards reaching financial freedom. And that often means creating sources of passive income.

We spoke with Ben Broch, CEO and founder of Cover Letter Copilot, and Mark McShane, owner and managing director of Skills Training Group, and discussed some methods that have worked to make them rich.

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Broch said he’s used multiple passive income streams to boost his earnings well beyond his day job.

"Investing in real estate through crowdfunding platforms has been a game-changer," he said. "These platforms allow me to invest in commercial and residential properties without the need for direct property management. By pooling funds with other investors, I can earn a share of the rental income and potential property appreciation."

Broch said real estate crowdfunding offers a hassle-free way to diversify his investment portfolio.

"The ability to invest in high-quality properties with relatively low capital makes it accessible and lucrative. Platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul provide transparent performance reports, helping me track my investments and returns."

"Utilizing dropshipping, I sell products without holding inventory,” said Broch. “The entire process, from order placement to fulfillment, is managed automatically, allowing me to focus on marketing and growth strategies."

"An automated e-commerce business minimizes the operational burden and allows for scalability," he said. "By leveraging tools like Shopify and Oberlo, I can efficiently manage product listings, process orders, and handle customer service. The key is selecting trending products and optimizing the store for conversions, which drives consistent revenue."



"While not as flashy as other passive income streams, high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) offer a secure and steady income," Broch said. "I allocate a portion of my savings to these accounts to take advantage of competitive interest rates that surpass traditional savings accounts."

"High-yield savings accounts and CDs provide a risk-free way to grow my savings. Online banks like Ally and Marcus by Goldman Sachs offer attractive rates and flexible terms."

Broch said this approach ensures that his money works for him, earning interest while remaining accessible for future investments.

"Building multiple passive income streams is about diversifying your efforts and leveraging various opportunities," Broch added. "Real estate crowdfunding, automated e-commerce and high-yield savings accounts are just a few examples of how you can create a significant passive income that complements your primary earnings."

McShane develops mobile apps that generate significant passive income streams.

"Developers can come up with an app useful or entertaining in some way,” he said, “then monetize it through ads, in-app purchases or even subscription-based models.

"App development offers one opportunity for earning passive income. After developing an app and launching it, I can continuously earn money with very little maintenance. Through platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the apps along with associated steady income streams are opened up to a mass audience."

"Running affiliate marketing websites involves creating content that promotes products or services," McShane said. "By incorporating affiliate links within the content, you earn a commission for every sale made through your referral."



He said this will effectively monetize technology-based blogs or review sites where the owner has targeted audiences likely to show interest in technology-based products and services.

"There are plenty of opportunities to make passive income with affiliate marketing through such platforms as Amazon Associates, ShareASale and CJ Affiliate," McShane said.

Digital products include a lot of creations that garner passive income in droves, such as e-books, online courses, software and design templates.

"Other than the development phase, these products basically require little or no maintenance and can be resold a lot of times," McShane said. "It harnesses your expertise to create scalable streams of income through the sale of digital products. More precisely, platforms like Udemy, Teachable and Gumroad help in marketing and selling digital products to the global audience."

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Brendan McGinley