Make $25,000 in Passive Income Starting With Just $0

Passive income is certainly achievable even if you start with $0. Save a little, invest in growth stocks like Constellation Software (TSX:CSU) and switch to dividend stocks in less than 10 years.

| More on:

If you have absolutely no savings, you’re not alone. Millions of Canadians have set aside little to no cash for retirement or emergencies. That’s perfectly fine considering the government’s generous safety net can protect you and your family from financial disaster. However, creating a source of passive income could give you something the government cannot: freedom. 

With a substantial flow of passive income every year, say $25,000, you could ditch your job and do something you love. Travel the world or simply spend more time with your family. Financial freedom is unlike any other achievement, which is why it makes sense to aim for this right away. 

Here’s how you can potentially create your own stream of passive income starting with $0. 

Changing habits

Any life-altering decision hinges on your ability to change a habit. If you’ve never saved any money before, now is the perfect time to start. Socking away just $100 a month will put you on a path to financial freedom. However, if you want to get there sooner, you need to set aside a larger amount. 

I believe a dual-income family should have no trouble saving $20,000 a year. Deploying that cash in stocks is the next step. 

Aiming for growth

While the average stock is expected to deliver 6% to 7% growth every year, some stocks can grow much faster. Technology stocks, in particular, can have extended periods of double-digit returns that help you compound wealth at a blazing pace. 

Take enterprise software giant Constellation Software (TSX:CSU) for example. If you invested $10,000 in the stock in 2010, your holdings would be worth $340,000 today. In ten short years, you could have turned the value of a nice car into the down payment on a nice house. That’s an annual compounding growth rate of 42.28%!

Of course, stocks like Constellation are rare and difficult to spot. Fortunately, you don’t need an excessive growth rate to achieve passive income. Just 10% compounded over 10 years (with $20,000 added every year) will generate $490,000 in wealth. That’s the magic of compounding returns in the stock market. 

The final step is to switch this half-million nest egg from growth stocks to income stocks for passive income. 

Passive income through dividends

Growth stocks like Constellation are great for expanding wealth, but not for steady income. For that, you need a robust dividend stock. Top dividend stocks like Royal Bank of Canada offer dividend yields as high as 4.65%. On average, a reliable dividend stock with a good track record should be able to provide a 5% yield.

This means you can generate $25,000 in annual income by switching your $490,000 nest egg from growth stocks to dividend stocks after your 10-year wait.  

Bottom line

Going from $0 in savings to $25,000 in annual passive income may seem impossible. Yet, a simple three-step strategy, a little discipline and a little patience can put you in this position. 

We here at the Motley Fool believe the path to financial freedom is simple. You don’t need to do anything extraordinary for extraordinary results over time. 

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Vishesh Raisinghani has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Constellation Software.

More on Investing

investment research
Dividend Stocks

Best Stock to Buy Right Now: TD Bank vs Manulife Financial?

TD and Manulife can both be interesting stock picks for today, depending on your investment style.

Read more »

A worker gives a business presentation.
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now

These stocks are out of favour but could deliver nice returns over the coming years.

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

This 5.5 Percent Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Month

This defensive retail REIT could be your ticket to high monthly income.

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: How Much Do You Need to Invest to Make $600 Per Month?

Do you want passive income coming in every single month? Here's how to make it and a top dividend ETF…

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

3 Monthly-Paying Dividend Stocks to Boost Your Passive Income

Given their healthy cash flows and high yields, these three monthly-paying dividend stocks could boost your passive income.

Read more »

ways to boost income
Investing

Are Telus and BCE Stocks a Smart Buy for Canadian Investors?

Telus (TSX:T) and BCE (TSX:BCE) have massive dividend yields, but their shares have been quite sluggish!

Read more »

investment research
Tech Stocks

Is OpenText Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Is OpenText stock poised for a 2025 comeback? AI ambitions, a 3.8% yield, and cash flow power make it a…

Read more »

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

The TFSA Blueprint to Generate $3,695.48 in Yearly Passive Income

The blueprint to generate yearly passive income in a TFSA is to maximize the contribution limits.

Read more »