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9 Income Streams You Can Build While Working a 9-to-5 (Without Huge Upfront Costs)

Why You Need Multiple Income Streams

Author

JEAN PELEGRINO
January 18, 2025

Billionaires wanted it, but 66,737 everyday investors got it first… and profited

When incredibly rare and valuable assets come up for sale, it's typically the wealthiest people that end up taking home an amazing investment. But not always…

One platform is taking on the billionaires at their own game, buying up and offering shares of some of history’s most prized blue-chip artworks for its investors. In just the last few years, those investors realized representative annualized net returns like +17.6%, +17.8% and +21.5% (among assets held 1+ year).

It's called Masterworks. Their nearly $1 billion collection includes works by greats like Banksy, Picasso, and Warhol, all of which are collectively invested in by everyday investors. When Masterworks sells a painting – like the 23 it's already sold – investors reap their portion of any profits.

It's easy to get started, but offerings can sell out in minutes.

Past performance not indicative of future returns. Investing Involves Risk. See Important Disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.

Why You Need Multiple Income Streams

Hi, I’m Jean, and today I’m going to share the nine income streams I’ve built over the past two years. If you had told me back then that I’d have this level of financial freedom, I wouldn’t have believed you. Two years ago, seven of these income streams didn’t even exist in my life. Back then, my entire world revolved around my day job.

Like many, I believed the only recipe for financial success was to work hard at a 9-to-5, climb the corporate ladder, and eventually "make it." That’s exactly what I did in banking. But over time, I realized relying solely on one active income source was risky.

Here’s why:

  1. Time for Money Trade-Off: When you only rely on active income, there’s always a ceiling to how much you can make because your time is limited.

  2. All Your Eggs in One Basket: If that one source of income disappears, your financial security is at risk.

That’s why I decided to diversify and create multiple income streams. Surprisingly, most of them didn’t require much upfront capital—I built them while working my day job, using pockets of free time. A few did need some investment, and I’ll share which ones below. In fact, one of these income streams is currently losing money, and I’ll show you what I’m doing to turn that around.

Let’s dive into the nine income streams I’ve built:

. YouTube AdSense

One of the first income streams I built while working my 9-to-5 was through YouTube AdSense. After hitting 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, YouTube started showing ads on my videos, and I began earning.

Here’s how it works:

  • CPM (Cost Per Mille): The amount advertisers pay per 1,000 views.

  • RPM (Revenue Per Mille): The amount creators receive after YouTube’s 45% cut.

For example, my video “How to Become Unrecognizable” earned $594 with 86,000 views, while another video, “5 Side Hustles That Can Make You $1,000 a Week,” earned over $1,300 with the same view count due to its higher CPM.

2. Dividends

This is one of the most passive income streams once set up. By investing in dividend-paying stocks or funds, you earn a portion of a company’s profits regularly.

For beginners, I recommend starting with dividend funds rather than individual stocks to spread out risk.

3. Community Platform

My newest venture, a community platform, is still in its early stages and currently loss-making. I’ve invested in a community manager, expert coaches, and a hosting platform to create a space where members can learn, share, and grow.

Right now, I’m testing the model with the first 100 members at a special price before expanding further.

4. Sponsorships

I receive 9–10 sponsorship requests weekly but only work with brands I genuinely trust. For example, this video is sponsored by Build Your Store AI, a platform that helps people create Shopify stores using AI with minimal cost and effort. HERE IS THE LINK: https://accounts.shopify.com/

5. Active Income

I still maintain my accounting work as a chartered accountant. While this is an active income stream (trading time for money), it keeps my professional credentials sharp and opens up other opportunities.

6. Real Estate Income

Real estate has been one of my longest-running income streams. I’ve shifted from residential to commercial properties for steadier income and tax advantages.

For those starting with less capital, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer an affordable entry point into real estate.

7. Public Speaking

Public speaking began as free workshops and grew into paid opportunities at major organizations like Google. Sharing your expertise on topics you’re passionate about can turn into a lucrative income stream as your reputation grows.

8. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another income stream I’ve been quietly building for years. For instance, when I recommend platforms like investment apps, I earn commissions when others sign up using my links.

9. Courses

Turning your expertise into an online course can generate long-term income. Whether you sell through platforms like Online Classes for Creatives | Skillshare or host on your own site, courses allow you to create something once and sell it repeatedly.

Key Takeaways

Building multiple income streams doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, use the time you already have, and focus on one income stream at a time. Whether it’s through YouTube, real estate, or even affiliate marketing, there’s a path that fits your skills and interests.

If you enjoyed this breakdown and want updates on how my income streams are performing or what new ventures I’m exploring, let me know!