There are two main types of income: passive income vs residual income. What’s the difference? And which one is better for you? In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of each type of income, and help you decide which one is right for you!
Passive income and residual income are two ways to make money while you sleep. Residual income is the more traditional idea, where you earn money from your work and then use the time to enjoy yourself. Passive income is a bit more modern, where you earn money from multiple sources, like affiliate marketing or blogging.
Key Takeaways
- There is a distinction between passive and residual income, which are two ways to earn money while sleeping. The more traditional concept is residual income, while passive income is more modern.
- Both passive and residual income are excellent ways to make money, but there are some key differences to be aware of before pursuing one over the other.
- Passive income can include investments that generate income or work you’ve done in the past that is still paying off today, whereas residual income can be extremely helpful in financing other business ventures or personal expenses.

A residual or passive income refers to a stream of income that is not tied to actively working or providing labor. This type of income generally comes from assets such as real estate, investments, business ventures, and royalties. Residual and passive income forms the foundation for financial stability by supplementing traditional (active) sources of income.
Achieving sustained residual or passive income involves creating and managing investments that bring in returns without requiring significant ongoing effort. Those who are employed in traditional roles yet looking to add lasting residual or passive forms of income can talk to an investment specialist to choose the right portfolio that will yield a strong return on investment over the long term.
What is Passive Income?
Making money while you sleep sounds like a dream come true, but it is possible to create a passive income stream. Passive income is defined as money earned from sources in which you have no direct or active engagement. This can include investments that generate income or work you’ve done in the past that is still paying off today. In its simplest form, passive income refers to the concept of “making money work for you.”
Residual Income
Residual income refers to a key concept in business and economics, and it refers to money that is earned after the initial work is completed. In many cases, residual income comes from royalties, rental payments, interest, dividends, or continued sales of consumer items.
Additionally, a Corporate Finance Residual income can be a useful metric for evaluating the financial health of a company. It is also a key factor in decisions about investment, dividend payouts, and other strategic decisions. Because residual income represents the true bottom line of a company’s profitability, it is an important number for investors to watch.
For example, an artist may continue to earn royalties from the sales of their CDs long after the music has been recorded, and a writer may continue to earn residual income from book sales years after the book has been published.
This type of income can be extremely helpful in financing other business ventures or personal expenses. In addition, it can provide a desirable stream of income for those who are retired or otherwise not actively working. Residual income can be a great way to security and financial freedom.
Personal Finance
When it comes to personal finance, a potential borrower’s creditworthiness is often assessed based on their residual income. Residual income is the money that remains after all personal bills and costs have been paid. To determine an applicant’s residual income, banks will deduct the applicant’s other regular monthly payments from their monthly income.
These regular monthly payments can include credit cards, installment accounts, or student loans. The balance that remains, after food and utilities have been accounted for, is treated as the applicant’s residual income.
By comparing an applicant’s residual income to the cost of living in a specific area, banks can get a better sense of whether or not the applicant can afford a mortgage. As a result, residual income plays an important role in personal finance.
Equity Valuation
Residual income formula is an important concept in equity valuation.
Equity valuation represents the true economic value of a company. Unlike other valuation methods that focus on the current market value of an asset, residual income takes into account the future earnings potential of a company. In essence, it is a way to measure a company’s long-term viability.
There are two main ways to calculate residual income: the book value method and the present value of future income method.
The present value of the future income method is slightly more complicated, but ultimately more accurate. This method takes into account not only the current earnings of a company but also its projected future earnings. By taking both into account, this method gives a much more accurate picture of a company’s true worth.
residual income refers to an important tool for equity valuation because it provides a more accurate picture of a company’s true economic worth. Taking into account both current and future earnings potential gives investors a much better sense of whether or not an investment is worth making.
passive or residual income can be quite difficult to understand, but we are here to help you along the way, read on!
How Can I Create Residual Income?
Investing in Real Estate
Real estate investing is a great way to create residual income. By purchasing a property and renting it out, you can earn money each month without having to do any work.
This is a great way to build up your savings so that you can eventually buy a property to live in yourself. And if the value of the property increases over time, you’ll be able to make even more money when you sell it. So if you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, real estate investing is worth considering.
Affiliate Marketing
As anyone who has spent any time on YouTube knows, many of the site’s creators are constantly nagging viewers to subscribe, like, and share their videos. While this may be annoying to some, the truth is that these creators are often paid for their videos, either through advertisement revenue or affiliate relationships.
For example, a creator may mention a specific product in their video to earn a commission from any sales that result. While it is possible to earn money online without being a YouTuber, many creators find that the platform provides them with a steady stream of residual income.
In addition to YouTube, creators also use personal blogs and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram for personal finance. Whether you’re a YouTuber or not, there are plenty of ways to earn money online.
What Is Active Income?
Many people associate the term “active income” with a traditional job. They envision going to an office, working set hours, and receiving a regular paycheck in return for their services. However, active income can also come from other sources.
For example, if you are a freelancer or independent contractor, you may receive payment in exchange for specific tasks that you complete within a certain time frame. Similarly, if you are commissioned to sell a product or service, you will typically receive active income in the form of commissions. In short, active income is any form of compensation that is directly linked to the provision of services or the completion of specific tasks.
Why build passive income?
In today’s world, financial stability is more important than ever. And one of the best ways to achieve financial stability is through passive income. Passive income is a regular income that you don’t have to work for. It can come from investments, such as dividends from stocks or interest from savings accounts. Or it can come from sources of recurring revenue, such as rental properties or subscription-based businesses.
Whatever the source, passive income provides a consistent stream of money that can help to support your financial goals. And because it’s not tied to your time and effort, it gives you the freedom to pursue other goals and interests. So if you’re looking for a way to build financial security and freedom, passive income is a great place to start.

Ways Seniors Can Make Passive Income
Renting Property
As people age, they often look for ways to generate income without having to put in long hours at a job. For seniors who own property, renting out that property can be an excellent way to generate passive income.
There are several ways to go about doing this, such as hiring a property management company or listing the property on a rental website. Regardless of the approach, seniors can take advantage of their equity and generate income by renting out their property.
Not only is this a great way to supplement retirement income, but it can also help to cover the costs of maintaining the property. For seniors who are looking for ways to generate passive income, renting out property is worth considering.
Creating Online Courses
Seniors can make passive income by creating online courses. This is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others, while also earning some extra money. There are a few steps involved in creating an online course, but once you have everything set up, it can be a fairly passive income stream.
First, you need to choose a topic that you are knowledgeable about and that people would be interested in learning more about. Once you have settled on a topic, you need to create the actual course content.
This can include videos, articles, or even just audio recordings. Once you have created the content, you need to promote your course and get people to sign up for it. You can do this by creating a sales page or by using social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. If you can get people to sign up for your course, then you will be able to start earning passive income from it.
Selling Ad Space
Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But for many seniors, it can also be a time of financial insecurity. With limited job prospects and Social Security checks that only go so far, many seniors are looking for ways to supplement their income. One way to do this is by selling ad space.
Whether it’s on your car, your fence, or on your blog, selling ad space is a great way to make some extra money without having to put in a lot of effort. Plus, it’s a great way to get out and about, meet new people, and perhaps even make some new friends. So if you’re a senior who’s looking for a little extra income, selling ad space may be the perfect solution.
Selling Your Photos
In today’s digital age, everyone can be a photographer. With the click of a button, anyone can capture a moment and share it with the world. But while everyone can take a picture, not everyone can take a great picture. If you’re a senior with a knack for photography, you can turn your hobby into a source of passive income by selling your photos online.
Several stock photography websites allow users to upload and sell their photos. Once you’ve uploaded your photos, you can set your prices and earn a commission every time one of your photos is sold. And since most of these websites operate on a royalty-free basis, you can earn passive income from your photos for years to come.
So if you’re looking for ways to make some extra money in retirement, selling your photos online is a great way to do it.
Writing an E-book
With the advent of the internet, there are more opportunities than ever for seniors to make passive income. One way to do this is by writing an e-book. With a little effort and some basic writing skills, anyone can write an e-book and sell it online.
The beauty of this method is that once the book is written, there are no additional costs associated with selling it. Plus, e-books can be sold indefinitely, which means that they have the potential to generate ongoing income. If you’re looking for a creative and easy way to make passive income, writing an e-book is a great option.
Monetizing Your Designs
If you’re a senior citizen who’s looking for ways to generate passive income, one option you may want to consider is opens in a new windowmonetizing your designs. With the advent of the internet, it’s easier than ever to sell your designs online and reach a wide audience. Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply have a knack for creating stylish designs, there are plenty of ways to turn your talent into cash.
For example, you can sell print-on-demand products like t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags featuring your designs. Or, you can create digital products like ebooks, templates, and courses that incorporate your unique artwork. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of online resources and communities that can help you get started.
REITs
For many seniors, retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, it can also be a time of financial insecurity, as fixed incomes often fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
One way for seniors to supplement their income is by investing in REITs. REITs are real estate investment trusts that allow investors to purchase shares in a portfolio of properties. Unlike traditional investments, REITs offer the potential for both capital appreciation and passive income. In addition, REITs are highly liquid, which means that they can be easily sold if the need arises.
Dividend stocks
A opens in a new windowdividend stock is a type of stock that pays out regular dividends, typically every quarter. When you own dividend stocks, you can receive these payments even if the stock price doesn’t increase. And since many dividend stocks are large, stable companies, they can offer a measure of safety and stability in your portfolio. In addition, many dividend stocks offer tax advantages, which can be particularly helpful for seniors who are on a fixed income. While there are no guarantees in the world of investing, owning dividend stocks can be an effective way for seniors to generate passive income.
Rent out your home
As people age, they often find themselves with more free time and fewer sources of income. However, there are still plenty of opportunities for seniors to make money, even if they’re not able to work a traditional job. One way for seniors to make money is by renting out their homes. This can provide a steady stream of income, and it can also be a great way to meet new people and have some extra company around the house.
Rent out household items
As we all know, money doesn’t grow on trees. For seniors, this can be a real problem. While many are no longer working, they still have bills to pay and mouths to feed. One way for seniors to make some extra money is to rent out household items.
For example, If you have a backyard shed, you could rent it out as storage space. And if you have an unused car, you could rent it out as a location for film shoots or photo shoots. All of these options provide a passive source of income that can help seniors make ends meet. So if you’re a senior in need of some extra cash, consider renting out your household items. It’s a great way to bring in some extra money without having to put in a lot of effort.
Passive income vs Residual Income FAQs
Here are some of the most asked questions about passive and residual income:
How many income streams should you have?
There’s no magic number when it comes to how many income streams you should have. However, if your goal is to achieve financial freedom, it’s important to have more than one. Diversifying your sources of income helps to protect you against financial shocks and gives you a greater chance of achieving your long-term goals.
Of course, generating multiple income streams takes time and effort. You might need to pick up a new skill or invest in a new business venture. But the rewards can be well worth it. Not only will you reduce your dependence on any one source of income, but you’ll also have more flexibility and choice in how you live your life. So if you’re serious about financial independence, start planning for multiple income streams today.
How do I invest in residual income?
Many people think that the only way to make money is through active income, which is money earned through working. However, there is another type of income that can be just as lucrative: residual income. Residual income is money that continues to be earned even after the work has been completed.
For example, royalties from a book or music album will continue to be paid even after the book or album has been sold. Similarly, a residual income stream can be created by investing in real estate or stocks. With proper planning, residual income can provide a steady stream of revenue that can help to build long-term wealth.
What’s the opposite of passive income?
The opposite of passive income is active income. Active income is money that is earned through work. For example, if you have a job, the money you earn from your job is considered active income. In contrast, passive income is money that continues to be earned even after the work has been completed.
Conclusion
Passive and residual income are both great ways to make money, but there are some key differences you should be aware of before you start chasing one over the other. Hopefully, this article has given you a good overview of each type of income and what it takes to achieve them. If you have any questions or want more information, please don’t hesitate to call me or schedule a free consultation. I would be happy to help!