Passive Income
Set-and-forget streams that don't pretend to be passive.
"Passive income" usually means setting up a hands-off investment, a property income stream, or a digital product that keeps selling. The honest version: it takes work upfront and a little maintenance forever. But once running, the cheque keeps arriving.
The UK options below cover both ends — beginner-friendly index funds you can set up in twenty minutes, and creator platforms for selling templates or downloads.
Where to look
- Hargreaves LansdownUK investment platform for Stocks & Shares ISAs. Set up regular investing.
- Vanguard UKLow-cost index funds. The default answer for hands-off investing.
- Trading 212Free fractional shares + the highest cash ISA rate at time of writing.
- Premium BondsGovernment prize draw instead of interest. Safe but average return is meh unless lucky.
- Etsy / GumroadSell digital downloads (templates, prints, presets) for ongoing royalties.
Articles
Interest is the only honest passive income — and most of Britain isn't collecting it
No audience, no algorithm, no course to buy: moving £5,000 out of a high-street account paying 1% into a best-buy at 4%-plus is £150+ a year for one afternoon.
2 May 20264 min read
Rent out the driveway: JustPark, Stashbee, and the £7,500 tax-free spare room
Passive income usually means buying something. The better version starts with what's already idle — a driveway near a station can earn £60–£200 a month.
30 Apr 20264 min read