Making money in your sleep may sound far-fetched, but it’s actually not as unrealistic as it seems.

While most of us think of our day jobs as the income generators, it’s possible to earn some types of money without a lot of regular effort. These are known as passive income streams, and although they often require an initial investment of time and money, the whole point is you shouldn’t have to do much once you establish them.

In fact, the simplest source of passive income — earning interest on your savings — is about as low-effort as it gets. And between interest, shareholder dividends, and rental income, a fifth of U.S. households were earning a median of $4,200 a year in passive income in 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau data cited by the Chamber of Commerce. (That’s about $5,400 in today’s dollars.)

So what? Setting up passive income sources can be a smart way to help recession-proof your finances and have something to fall back on if you ever lose your day job. And there are many options if you have the financial resources, time, and patience.

Here are a few options of varying risk level:

Open a high-yield savings account. Again, it doesn’t get more passive than this. A high-yield savings account may be the easiest and safest way to explore passive income, especially with interest rates still relatively high. Put your money to work by finding a savings account with a competitive annual percentage yield. Even if you only earn a few hundred bucks in a year, it’s a super low-maintenance way to collect some extra cash. And thanks to the power of compound interest, even your interest will earn interest. (This calculator can help you see how much). Check out SoFi’s high-yield savings offering.

Loan money. When you put your money into a high-yield savings account, you’re essentially loaning it to the bank for interest. In much the same vein, you can loan money to a company or the government by buying bonds. Just keep in mind it’s all about risk vs. reward. For example, buying a bond issued by a struggling company may pay higher interest than a U.S. Treasury bond, but there’s also a bigger chance you won’t get repaid.

Invest in dividend-paying stocks. If you’re taking a long-term buy and hold approach to investing for your future, consider buying stocks that pay regular dividends. Companies usually pay dividends on a quarterly basis, and the more shares of a company you own, the higher the dividend payout. If you want to be extra passive, you can set up automatically recurring investments into stocks or funds of your choice. (Or, to invest in real estate portfolios without actually having to buy and manage properties, consider Real Estate Investment Trusts, which typically pay regular dividends.) Just remember: There are no guarantees you won’t lose money when you sell your stocks.

Rent a property. Rental properties can generate significant amounts of money, but they usually require a large upfront cash commitment and more work than other forms of passive income. (For example, you’ll probably have to screen tenants and manage repairs.) Renting out a spare room in your house may or may not be less work.

Rent other stuff. If being a full-fledged landlord isn’t feasible, consider what else you can rent out. Use sites like SpotHero and Neighbor to rent your parking spot or driveway. Or list your garage or shed on a peer-to-peer storage site. If you’re out of town for a while, you may want to list the car you left behind on Turo. You can even rent out your bike on Spokeo.

House sit. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your daily routine, house sitting can be an easy way to earn money without doing much. Especially if it’s just watering plants and collecting mail. Ask friends and acquaintances if they’ll need a housesitter during the holidays, or list your “services” on sites like HouseSitter.com.

Sell online courses. Maybe you’re an expert in a hot topic like digital marketing, web development, or AI. Share your expertise by creating online courses on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare. This takes a lot of effort upfront, but once you’ve created a course, you can focus simply on selling it.

Need more inspo? Check out more ways to earn passive income.

Related Reading

Active vs. Passive Income (U.S. News & World Report)

Side Hustles That Don’t Feel Like a Hustle (SoFi)

39-Year-Old Makes $8,200/Month in Passive Income While Reinventing Her Business (CNBC)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20250929SW

If you’re getting the Sunday blues every week, take heart.

With the U.S. labor market looking tougher and tougher, many people are feeling stuck in their jobs, unable to find something better and wary of leaving a steady paycheck – even when they’re not happy. In August, as long-term unemployment reached its highest level since 2021, one survey showed the average worker’s confidence in other job opportunities fell to its lowest point ever (the survey started in 2013.)

But staying put doesn’t have to mean staying blue (or worse, “quietly cracking.”) Here are five ways to make the most of a job you don’t like — and come out stronger on the other side.

1.   Look within (other areas of your company.) Just because you’ve decided to stay with your employer, doesn’t mean you have to do the same work. Vanessa Stasco, managing director at recruiting firm Ikon Search, suggests asking for a different role or project to re-inspire you. “Think about what you would like to do to diversify your day-to-day and add more value,” she says. Eliana Goldstein, a professional career coach, points out this can have other benefits too: “Connect with a member of a different team and ask to shadow them,” she suggests. “Getting exposure to those teams and new workflows can help when feeling stuck — and create some new internal visibility.”

2.   Invest in yourself. Use this time to prepare for your next move, even if that’s a ways away. Update your LinkedIn, take a certification course, or sign up for a workshop that builds new skills. Just make sure you choose things that will actually help you in your next role, Goldstein says. “Figure out the gap between where you are right now — and the skill set that you have — and the skill set needed in that next role,” she says. “This way, you can make sure you’re not just throwing a bunch of new skills on your resume.”

3.   Add spark to your schedule. If your day-to-day work feels uninspiring, consider adding something that excites you. Whether it’s a creative hobby, a side hustle, or volunteering for an important cause, investing energy outside the office can reinfuse balance and passion in your life. Meanwhile, take stock of the positives your company still offers you, whether that’s stability, benefits, a manageable schedule or a nice boss. Shifting your attention to what you’re grateful for can help you see opportunities where you once saw dead ends.

4.   Build a network. Reach out to old colleagues, connect with professionals in your field, or join an industry association. Expanding your circle can not only create future opportunities, but also provide a support network when you need a morale boost.

  “Just the physical act of starting to have conversations, meeting new people, and building relationships creates action and motion,” Goldstein says. These chats might remind you that you’re not alone — and that your options are wider than they seem. Stasco also suggests connecting with recruiters who specialize in your field (or the one you’re hoping to get into.) “Not all jobs are always posted, so don’t hold back if you do not see a posting.”

5.   Adopt a quality-not-quantity approach to your job hunt. Applying to every job can lead to burnout, frustration, and self-doubt, says Stasco. Instead, focus on where you can get a referral, which can increase your chances of landing that first interview ten-fold, according to Goldstein. And remember: “You have a job and that is the best time to look for another one,” Stasco says.

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM2025092901

As we turn the page to a new month and a new quarter, the focus shifts from monetary policy at the Federal Reserve to political brinksmanship on Capitol Hill and at the White House. The U.S. government’s fiscal year ends on Tuesday, and Washington appears to be barreling toward a government shutdown with no agreement in place.

This introduces two threats for markets. First, a shutdown could cause a government data blackout, delaying the release of crucial economic data that investors rely on, including Friday’s jobs report. (In past shutdowns, most government agencies that compile economic data suspend their operations.)

A shutdown could also have macroeconomic consequences. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers deemed nonessential would be furloughed without pay, while government programs and discretionary spending would be paused. That could weigh on consumer spending, disrupt services, and hurt both business and consumer confidence.

Despite the near-term volatility a shutdown can create, it’s important to remember that such events have historically had a fleeting impact on the broader economy. Once the political gridlock is resolved, markets often regain their footing and resume a positive trajectory.

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Monday

•  September Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity: This is the Dallas Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  Fedspeak: New York Fed President John Williams will participate in a moderated discussion at a Rochester Institute of Technology event. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack will participate in a policy panel alongside the Bank of England’s David Ramsden and European Central Bank’s Philip Lane at a concert in Frankfurt. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic will have a moderated conversation with the CEO of Delta Air Lines followed by Q&A.

•  Earnings: Carnival (CCL)

Tuesday

•  July FHFA House Price Index: This is a broad measure of single-family house prices released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

•  September Chicago Business Barometer: The barometer provides information on U.S. economic activity and business conditions, consisting of seven activity indicators and three buying policy indicators.

•  August Job Openings: A key measure of business demand for labor is the number of job openings, since reducing openings is easier and preferable to layoffs.

•  September Conference Board Consumer Confidence: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on job availability and the state of the labor market.

•  September Dallas Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: This is the Dallas Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•  Fedspeak: Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson will give a keynote speech at the Bank of Finland’s International Monetary Policy Conference. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee will participate in a moderated discussion at the regional bank’s 2025 Midwest Agriculture Conference. Dallas Fed President will participate in a moderated conversation at the regional Fed’s Survey Participants’ Appreciation Reception

•  Earnings: Lamb Weston (LW), Nike (NKE), Paychex (PAYX)

Wednesday

•  September ADP Employment Report: This survey, usually released a day or two before the official government jobs report, offers insight into private sector employment trends.

•  September ISM Manufacturing PMI: This index from the Institute for Supply Management tracks how purchasing managers across the manufacturing sector feel about the business environment.

•  August Construction Spending: Construction data is a leading indicator of business activity.

•  September Wards Total Vehicle Sales: Cars are a big ticket item for consumers, so underlying vehicle sales trends can help shine a light on demand for durable goods.

•  Weekly Mortgage Applications: Mortgage activity gives insight on demand conditions in the housing market.

•  Earnings: Conagra Brands (CAG)

Thursday

•  September Challenger Job Cuts: The firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas tracks the number of layoff announcements each month by sector.

•  August Factory and Durable Goods Orders: These metrics give insight into underlying trends for leading cyclical indicators.

•  Weekly Jobless Claims: This high frequency labor market data gives insight into filings for unemployment benefits.

•  Fedspeak: Logan will participate in a moderated discussion at the University of Texas’ Evolving Energy and Policy Landscape Conference.

Friday

•  September Employment Situation Summary: This monthly blockbuster release from the Labor Department gives a comprehensive look at employment, wages, and hours worked in the previous month.

•  September S&P Global US PMIs: These indexes track how purchasing managers across different industries feel about the business environment.

•  September ISM Services PMI: This index from the Institute for Supply Management tracks how purchasing managers across different services industries feel about the business environment.

•  Fedspeak: Williams will give keynote remarks at the Klaas Knot Farewell Symposium in Amsterdam.

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Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.