5 Passive Income Ideas You Can Start With Less Than $100

When people think of easy money, things like the lottery, Ponzi schemes, trading, sports bets, or casino games often come to mind. But most of these either demand deep knowledge or don’t offer lasting rewards. For example, trading requires serious time studying charts, while Ponzi schemes and lotteries often end in disappointment. On the other hand, sports betting or real-money casino titles like the roll x spin game are best enjoyed for fun and should not be relied upon as income strategies. 

If you’re looking for something smarter that pays off quietly in the background, passive income is your best bet. It’s money that keeps flowing in without demanding your daily hustle. You build or invest in something once, and over time, it starts earning for you with minimal ongoing effort. The best part is that passive income ventures are not always capital-intensive. 

This article walks you through five simple yet effective passive income ideas that you can start with as little as $100. Let’s get into it!

Selling Digital Products

A digital product is anything you can sell or deliver online that isn’t physical. Think e-books, online courses, templates, worksheets, design assets, digital art, checklists, Lightroom presets, the list goes on. What makes digital products so attractive is their scalability. Once you create one, you can sell it over and over without worrying about restocking, printing, packaging, or shipping. It’s a one-time effort that can keep generating income long after the work is done. 

The best part? Creating a digital product is now easier and more affordable than ever. Not long ago, you needed to be a niche expert with tons of free time just to build something worth selling. But with AI tools at hand today, nearly anyone can create high-quality content without starting from scratch or dealing with complex tech. For instance, you can use ChatGPT to generate an outline, or even a fully written course or eBook, in minutes. Similarly, Canva AI tools can help you design beautiful, brand-ready templates, while Notion AI can create smart planners, dashboards, and systems.

When it comes to selling, you’ve got plenty of options. Platforms like Whop, Etsy, Gumroad, and Payhip make it simple to list and sell. If you’d rather run things your own way, you can set up a store using Shopify or WordPress. You can even promote your products through affiliate platforms for added reach.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is all about promoting someone else’s product or service and earning a commission when someone buys through your unique referral link. Suppose you have ever clicked on a product link from a YouTube description or an Instagram story and ended up buying something on Amazon. That YouTube or Instagram creator likely earned a small commission from your purchase.

Getting started with affiliate marketing is surprisingly simple. First, you sign up for an affiliate program. Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, and ClickBank are all popular options. Next, choose a niche or category you’re comfortable with, like tech gadgets, home fitness, or personal development. 

Affiliate marketing usually requires that you have an audience, which you can get by creating content consistently. It could be short videos on TikTok, blog posts, or detailed YouTube reviews. However, if you already have a bit of a digital presence, maybe a small following on Instagram, or a blog with some traffic, you are at an advantage.

Print-on-Demand Products

Print-on-demand, or POD for short, is a way to sell physical products, like T-shirts, mugs, or tote bags, without actually keeping any inventory yourself. Instead, when someone places an order, a third-party service prints your design on the item and ships it directly to the customer. You never touch the product, and you don’t have to worry about packaging, shipping, or handling returns.

Platforms like Redbubble, Teespring, and Merch by Amazon make this really simple. All you need is a design that you’ll upload to your chosen product. From there, the platform lists it for sale, and when someone buys it, they do the rest. The customer gets a professionally printed product, and you earn a portion of the sale.

Vending Machines

If you’re looking for something a bit more hands-on and offline, vending machines are a good option. You simply place the machine in a busy location, fill it up with snacks, drinks, or everyday essentials, and it quietly brings in money while people go about their day.

Now, brand-new vending machines can be expensive, but you don’t have to buy a new one. You can find used or refurbished vending machines in great condition from liquidation sales or secondhand suppliers. Once you’ve got your machine, the next step is figuring out what to stock. Chips, candy, bottled drinks, gum, or even toiletries are very good options. 

As for location, look for high-foot-traffic spots like schools, office buildings, salons, gyms, or laundromats. If you know someone who owns a business, you can negotiate a placement in their lobby, waiting area, or break room. 

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is often one of the first things people hear about when they start looking into passive income, and honestly, it makes sense. It lets you run an online store without ever having to deal with the actual products yourself. 

Here’s how the concept works: you list items for sale (usually through your own website or platforms like Shopify), and when someone places an order, it gets sent directly to a third-party supplier who handles the packaging and shipping. You then get to keep the profit margin between what the customer paid and what the supplier charges.

Conclusion

You don’t need deep pockets or special connections to start building passive income. With as little as $100, you can set up simple systems that earn money in the background, while you sleep, work, or unwind. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and choose an idea that genuinely excites you. From there, it only gets better.