7 ways to make passive income - make money work for you even while you sleep
With the cost of living rising, you may wonder how you can increase your monthly income to cope with that. One way you can do it is to create a source of passive income - i.e. making money while you sleep with just a brokerage account. Too good to be true? Read on to find out more.
What is passive income?
Passive income is money you earn even while you sleep. This can be achieved when you create something like a blog, an online course, videos, etc. that generate money even when you’re not at work or through investments account on property, stocks, funds, etc.
Why should I create a passive income?
Most of us trade time for money by working our day job. But it is not always efficient and it will take up a lot of our time. We could have done something else as Warren Buffet is known to say, “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” Also, we will all get retired at some point and stop receiving active income. Therefore, it’s important to make your money work for you.
Passive income ideas: How to make passive income in Hong Kong?
1. Investing in Stocks
Investing in stocks that pay dividends are good passive income ideas. Good shares will appreciate in value and offer dividend payments - for example, HSBC Holdings plc (00005), Link Real Estate Investment Trust (00823), CLP Power (00002), or Town Gas (00003).
2. Bonds and GICs
Reputable bonds and GICs do not only protect your initial investment, but also offer 2-3% interest rates in exchange for you lending them money, making them another great passive income idea.The return is not massive but the risk is minimal.
3. Funds
Instead of investing in a superstar company, you can invest in an entire sector or asset class, or on an economy by buying funds. You can do so by investing in index fund ETFs e.g. S&P 500 which tracks the 500 biggest companies in the US stock exchange instead of an individual US stock.
4. Cryptocurrency
Investing in crypto is also a great passive income idea. Some service providers offer an interest if you deposit your crypto. But usually, it comes with a “lockup period”, during which you can’t access your funds for a fixed amount of time.
5. Invest in Property
If you have more money, you can consider investing in properties. For one thing, it may appreciate over time and you will then be able to earn the difference and you can earn rental income each month.
6. Saving Insurance Plan
You can also purchase a savings insurance plan that offers a potential attractive return to achieve long-term wealth accumulation.
7. Affiliate Marketing
To earn passive income, you can also become a blogger and earn a commission for selling another’s product or service. Most of the work will be done upfront and you will enjoy the income if someone buys the product.
Best brokerage accounts in Hong Kong
Huatai International Securities-Zhangle Global
- Min. Commission Fee US Stocks
- US$0
- Commission Fee HK Stocks
- HK$0
- Account Opening Min. Funding
- HK$10,000
- During the promotional period, if you deposit a cumulative total of HK$10,000 or more and maintain it until 31 May 31, 2025, you will receive HK$400 cash (Delivered by Huatia)
- During the month of the initial deposit for the account opening, accumulate a total deposit of HK$100,000 or more and maintain it until 30 June, 2025, can get 1 AAPL share (value at HK$1,912) (Delivered by Huatai)
Webull Securities Account
- Commission Fee US Stocks
- US$0
- Commission Fee HK Stocks
- HK$0
- Account Opening Min. Funding
- HK$10,000
【You don't want to miss this LTO🔥－ Rewards up to HK$6,498! 】
From March 24, 2025, 8:00pm to March 31, 2025, 15:59pm, new customers who successfully open an account through MoneySmart and submit reward claim can enjoy up to HK$6,498 exclusive rewards!
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【$80K Asset Reward 】: Upon successfully opening an account through MoneySmart, make first deposit of ≥HK$80,000 maintain the funds for 60 days:
・PHILIPS Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Series 1200 (EP1220/00) (valued at HK$6,498) / PHILIPS RO Water Dispenser ADD6920WH/90 (valued at HK$4,288) / SAMSUNG GALAXY Tab S9 FE (WIFI) (X510) -(6GB RAM + 128GB) - 10.9" (valued at HK$3,588) / Insta360 InstaAce-Pro (Standard Bundle) (valued at HK$3,299) / B&W PX7-S2e headphone (valued at HK$3,380) / HK$2,800 Apple Store Gift Card / PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers / HKTVmall vouchers
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Upon successfully opening an account through MoneySmart and making first deposit HK$10,000 or above and maintain the funds for 60 days, can get HK$600 offer:
・HK$600 PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers / Apple Store Gift Card/ HKTVmall e-Vouchers
Interactive Brokers
- Min. Commission Fee US Stocks
- US$0.0035
- Min. Commission Fee HK Stocks
- 0.015%
- Account Opening Min. Funding
- HK$10,000
・Transparent and low rates; investors could choose between fixed rate commission pricing and tiered pricing
・US$0.0035 Min. Commission Fee US Stocks
・0.015% Min. Commission Fee HK Stocks
Syfe
- Minimum investment amount
- HK$0
- Annual Management Fee
- 0-0.65%
- Subscription fee of Equity fund
- 0%
During the promotional period, customers who successfully open an account using the MoneySmart invitation code "MS25," complete the specified account opening conditions, and fill out the reward redemption form can enjoy up to HK$ 3,999 exclusive offer:
Make an initial deposit of HK$10,000, select an investment portfolio within 14 days, and maintain an average daily balance of HK$10,000 or more for 60 days to qualify for:
- JBL Smart Speaker Link 20 (value: HK$1,699) /POLAROIDGo Generation 2 instant camera (value: HK$999 )/ HK$800 Apple Store Gift Card/PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers/ HKTVmall e-Vouchers
Make an initial deposit of HK$50,000, select an investment portfolio within 14 days, and maintain an average daily balance of HK$50,000 or more for 60 days to qualify for:
- B&W Pi6 In-ear True Wireless earbuds camera (value: HK$1,980) /Japan A.L.I MAXBOX 8011 28" Front-open Expandable Suitcase (value: HK$1,899 ) /HK$1,300 Apple Store Gift Card/PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers/ HKTVmall e-Vouchers
Make an initial deposit of HK$100,000, select an investment portfolio within 14 days, and maintain an average daily balance of HK$100,000 or more for 60 days to qualify for:
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 (value: HK$2,499) /PHILIPS XC2011/61 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (value: HK$2,498)/ SONY WF-1000XM5 earbuds (value: HK$2,490) OR K$1,800 Apple Store Gift Card /PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers/ HKTVmall e-Vouchers
Make an initial deposit of HK$150,000, select an investment portfolio within 14 days, and maintain an average daily balance of HK$150,000 or more for 60 days to qualify for:
- BERMAS 26" BERMAS Front-open Suitcase (value: HK$3,999) /SONY WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (value: HK$3,190 ) /Apple Watch SE GPS (44mm) (value: HK$2,199 ) / HK$2,000 Apple Store Gift Card/ PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers/ HKTVmall e-Vouchers
Stocks Trading Platform in Hong Kong :
| Stock Trading Platform | Commission Fees (US Stock) | Commission Fees (HK Stock) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuable Capital Brokerage Account | US$0.99 | HK$0 |
|
| SoFi Hong Kong Brokerage Account | US$0 | HK$0 |
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| Webull Securities Account | US$0 | HK$0 |
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| Saxo Markets | US$3 | HK$18 |
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Compare More Trading Accounts in HK!
Compare more brokerage account in HK through MoneySmart including Futu /Webull/Longbridge/Valuable Capital and more!
FAQ
Why should I create a passive income?
- It frees up your time to actually do the active work and protects the value of your money.
Can I create passive income through investments?
- Yes, you can. Getting your money to work for you through investing in appreciable assets is a smart way to add money to your income stream.