12 Passive Income Ideas That Don’t Require Tech Skills

Side Hustles

Looking for ways to earn extra money without advanced tech skills? Youre not alone! Many people—students, stay-at-home parents, retirees, or anyone wanting a little financial boost—want simple, realistic passive income ideas. The good news is there are plenty of beginner-friendly options that dont require coding, web design, or technical know-how. In this guide, youll discover 12 passive income ideas you can start with little to no experience, plus honest advice on what to expect, how to get started, and tips to maximize your earnings.

Table of Contents

1. Rent Out a Room or Space

If you have an extra bedroom, basement, parking spot, or even storage space, you can rent it out for passive income. Platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, or Neighbor make it easy for beginners.

  • How it works: List your space, set your price, and approve guests or renters. The platform handles payments and bookings.
  • Earning expectations: $100“$1,000+ per month, depending on location and demand.
  • Time commitment: Low. Initial setup and occasional cleaning or communication.
  • Requirements: Clean, safe space; willingness to host or rent out.
  • Startup costs: Minimal if space is already available. May need to buy linens or locks.

Pros: High earning potential, flexible schedule.
Cons: Some effort to manage guests; local regulations may apply.

Beginner tip: Start with short-term rentals to test the waters. Read platform safety tips and screen guests.

Example: Mary, a retiree, rents her spare room on Airbnb and earns $400/month—enough to cover groceries.

2. Sell Stock Photos

Love taking photos? You dont need fancy equipment or editing skills to earn passive income from your snapshots. Sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and iStock let anyone upload images for sale.

  • How it works: Upload your photos; earn royalties each time someone downloads them.
  • Earning expectations: $0.25“$5 per download. Top contributors can earn $100“$500+/month, but most beginners earn $10“$50/month.
  • Time commitment: Initial upload, then passive.
  • Requirements: Camera or smartphone, internet access, basic photo quality.
  • Startup costs: None if you already have a camera or phone.

Pros: Creative, truly passive after upload.
Cons: Takes time to build a portfolio; earnings start slow.

Beginner tip: Focus on popular topics (food, travel, business). Upload regularly for better results.

Example: Jake uploads his travel photos and earns $30/month in royalties with no extra effort.

3. Use Cashback and Rewards Apps

If you shop online or in stores, you can earn passive income with cashback and rewards apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Dosh.

  • How it works: Shop through the app or link your card; earn a percentage back on your purchases.
  • Earning expectations: $5“$50/month for average shoppers.
  • Time commitment: Minimal. Set up once and shop as usual.
  • Requirements: Smartphone or computer, online shopping accounts.
  • Startup costs: None.

Pros: No extra work; free money on purchases youd make anyway.
Cons: Limited to participating stores; temptation to overspend.

Beginner tip: Combine multiple apps for bigger rewards. Always cash out to PayPal or gift cards to avoid losing points.

Example: Lisa uses Rakuten for online shopping and earns $15/month in cashback.

Print-on-demand lets you sell custom t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags without handling inventory or shipping. Sites like Redbubble, Teespring, and Merch by Amazon are beginner-friendly.

  • How it works: Upload simple designs or slogans; the platform prints and ships products when someone orders.
  • Earning expectations: $1“$10 per sale. Beginners might earn $20“$100/month with a few designs.
  • Time commitment: A few hours to set up; then passive.
  • Requirements: Basic design ideas (use free tools like Canva).
  • Startup costs: None.

Pros: No inventory; creative; global reach.
Cons: Competitive; need to promote your products for best results.

Beginner tip: Start with trending topics or funny quotes. Share your products on social media to boost sales.

Example: Tom creates dog-themed t-shirts and earns $50/month with Redbubble.

5. Dividend-Paying Investments

Investing in dividend stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds can provide steady passive income. You dont need to be a finance expert—many apps make it easy.

  • How it works: Buy shares of companies or funds that pay regular dividends. You receive payouts (usually quarterly).
  • Earning expectations: 2“5% annual yield. For example, $1,000 invested might earn $20“$50/year in dividends.
  • Time commitment: Minimal after setup.
  • Requirements: Brokerage account (try Robinhood, Fidelity, or Vanguard).
  • Startup costs: As little as $1 with some apps.

Pros: True passive income; can grow over time.
Cons: Investments carry risk; returns not guaranteed.

Beginner tip: Start small and reinvest dividends to grow your income.

Example: Sarah invests $500 in a dividend ETF and earns $15/year—small but grows with time.

6. Write and Sell an eBook

If you have knowledge or a story to share, consider self-publishing an eBook on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Apple Books.

  • How it works: Write your book, upload it, and set your price. Earn royalties on each sale.
  • Earning expectations: $1“$10 per sale. Beginners might earn $50“$200/month with a niche topic.
  • Time commitment: Several hours to write and format; then passive.
  • Requirements: Basic writing skills, computer.
  • Startup costs: None if you do it yourself.

Pros: Creative; global audience; no inventory.
Cons: Takes effort upfront; marketing helps boost sales.

Beginner tip: Write about topics you know well. Use Amazons free formatting guides.

Example: Mike writes a short guide on home organization and earns $100/month in royalties.

7. Rent Out Your Car

If your car sits unused, you can rent it out on platforms like Turo or Getaround.

  • How it works: List your car, set your availability, and approve renters. The platform handles insurance and payments.
  • Earning expectations: $200“$800/month, depending on location and demand.
  • Time commitment: Occasional cleaning and key handoff.
  • Requirements: Reliable, insured vehicle.
  • Startup costs: None if you already own the car.

Pros: High earning potential; flexible.
Cons: Wear and tear on your vehicle; insurance considerations.

Beginner tip: Read the platforms insurance policies and screen renters carefully.

Example: Alex rents his car on weekends and makes $300/month.

8. Create Digital Downloads

Design planners, printables, or templates and sell them on Etsy or Gumroad. Once created, downloads are delivered automatically.

  • How it works: Upload your digital file; customers buy and download instantly.
  • Earning expectations: $2“$20 per sale. Beginners might earn $50“$200/month with a few products.
  • Time commitment: A few hours to create; then passive.
  • Requirements: Basic design skills (use Canva or Google Docs).
  • Startup costs: None.

Pros: No shipping; scalable; creative.
Cons: Need to research what sells; competition.

Beginner tip: Start with simple planners or checklists. Use free design tools.

Example: Emily sells budget planner printables and earns $75/month on Etsy.

9. Affiliate Marketing (Without a Website)

You can earn commissions by recommending products through social media, email, or word-of-mouth—no website needed.

  • How it works: Sign up for affiliate programs (like Amazon Associates); share your unique links; earn when people buy.
  • Earning expectations: $10“$200/month for casual promoters.
  • Time commitment: Occasional sharing; then passive.
  • Requirements: Social media or email account.
  • Startup costs: None.

Pros: No product needed; flexible.
Cons: Earnings depend on your network; must disclose affiliate links.

Beginner tip: Recommend only products you trust. Always follow FTC disclosure rules.

Example: Jen shares her favorite kitchen gadgets on Instagram and earns $50/month in commissions.

10. License Your Ideas or Inventions

If you have a clever idea or invention, you can license it to companies for royalties—no need to manufacture or sell it yourself.

  • How it works: Submit your idea to companies; if they use it, you earn a percentage of sales.
  • Earning expectations: Varies widely; can be $100“$1,000+/month if successful.
  • Time commitment: Research and outreach upfront; then passive.
  • Requirements: Original idea; willingness to pitch.
  • Startup costs: None to low; avoid companies that charge high submission fees.

Pros: No selling or inventory; potential for big payouts.
Cons: Competitive; not all ideas get licensed.

Beginner tip: Use reputable platforms like InventRight or Edison Nation. Never pay large upfront fees.

Example: Sam licenses a kitchen gadget idea and earns $200/month in royalties.

11. Sell Used Books Online

Turn old books into passive income by listing them on Amazon, eBay, or Decluttr.

  • How it works: List your books; when they sell, ship them out. Some services even handle shipping for you.
  • Earning expectations: $1“$20 per book. Occasional sellers might earn $20“$100/month.
  • Time commitment: Initial listing and shipping; then passive as inventory sells.
  • Requirements: Used books, internet access