How to Make Money From Trading and Investing 2025

13 Min Read Posted by Frank

Making money from the stock market used to be something only experts could do. But now? Thanks to the internet, anyone can get started—as long as you’re willing to learn.

You don’t have to be a Wall Street pro to grow your money. Whether you want to:

  • Invest slowly (buy stocks and hold them for years),
  • Trade actively (buy and sell quickly for short-term gains), or
  • Try newer options (like crypto or NFTs),

…there are plenty of ways to make it happen.

But here’s the thing: Not all strategies are equal. Some are easy and hands-off (like earning dividends), while others take serious time and research (like day trading). And yes—some are risky.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to make money online through trading and investing. We’ll cover:

  • What each method involves
  • How much time/money you’ll need
  • The risks vs. rewards

No matter your experience level, there’s an option that fits your goals. Ready to find yours? Let’s go!

1. Passive income from investing

If you’ve ever seen a long-term stock market chart and noticed it mostly goes up, here’s why: stock prices generally rise along with the cost of living (inflation). That’s why investing is a smart way to protect your money—because cash loses value over time.

How can you grow your money, not just protect it?
Luckily, there are easy ways to invest online that can help your money grow, not just keep up with inflation.

Dividend investing—the “set it and forget it” method
One of the simplest ways is dividend investing. Dividends are like little paychecks companies send to their shareholders (people who own their stock) from their profits. All you have to do is:

  • Find stocks that pay regular dividends.
  • Buy and hold them.

Then, every few months (or whenever the company pays), you get cash in your account. You can spend it or reinvest it to buy even more shares—which means even bigger paychecks later (thanks to compounding—where your money makes more money over time).

Other ways to earn passive income from investing
Stocks aren’t the only option. You can also earn passive income from:

  • Bonds: They pay interest (called a “coupon rate”).
  • Cryptocurrencies (like proof-of-stake coins): Some pay you just for holding them.

How to get started?
Most investment apps and websites are user-friendly—many even offer free trading. Just pick your platform, choose your investments, and let your money work for you.

Quick Summary

  • Cost to start: Whatever you’re comfortable with.
  • Effort: Very low (once you’re set up).
  • Potential profit: Beats keeping cash in a savings account.
  • What to think about: Pick the right investments and a good online broker.

2. NFTs and digital collectibles

Remember when everyone was talking about NFTs a few years ago? The buzz has died down, but that doesn’t mean they’re useless. In fact, NFTs are way more than just overpriced monkey pictures—they’re a legit tech tool with real-world uses.

What Are NFTs Really Good For?

NFTs are like digital certificates of authenticity. They prove something is one-of-a-kind, which is super valuable in industries like:

  • Shipping & logistics (tracking real-world items)
  • Music & art (fighting piracy and cutting out middlemen)
  • Gaming & collectibles (owning unique in-game items)

How Can You Make Money with NFTs?

If you’re thinking, “Okay, but how does this put cash in my pocket?” here are a few ways:

Passive Royalties (Best for Creators)

  • Musicians, artists, and writers can sell their work as NFTs and earn royalties every time it’s resold.
  • No more losing money when your work gets pirated or resold without you seeing a dime.

Selling Your Own NFTs (Low Risk, But Needs Effort)

  • If you create digital art, music, or even eBooks, you can sell them as NFTs.
  • Platforms like OpenSea or Rarible make it easy—no coding needed.

Flipping NFTs (High Risk, High Reward)

  • Buy undervalued NFTs and resell them for profit (like trading cards).

Warning: This is risky—prices can crash fast.

The Bottom Line

  • Cost to start? Cheap if you’re creating, riskier if you’re trading.
  • Effort? Low for royalties, higher if you’re selling your own stuff.
  • Profit potential? Not huge yet, but growing as more industries adopt NFTs.
  • Key to success? Learn the basics, pick the right platform, and market well.

NFTs aren’t just a fad—they’re a tool. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or just curious, there’s still money to be made if you use them the right way. 

3. Trading card reselling

Trading cards are one of the best collectibles to resell because rarity = value, and it’s easy to tell which cards are actually rare (unlike some random trendy collectibles).

How to Get Started

Where to Buy:

  • From local collectors or online (Facebook groups, eBay, card shops).
  • Unopened packs/boxes (but it’s a gamble—you might not hit a big-money card).

The Profit Trick:

  • Buy low, sell high. The internet makes this way easier.
  • Example: Find undervalued cards locally, then sell them online to international collectors who can’t get them easily.

What to Watch Out For

  • Effort: Sourcing rare cards takes time—don’t expect quick cash.
  • Profit Potential: Medium (some cards sell for thousands, but most won’t).
  • Key to Success: Find a steady way to get valuable cards cheaply.

Quick Summary

  • Cost to Start: Low-medium (depends on how deep you go).
  • Time Needed: High (hunting for deals isn’t instant).
  • Best For: Patient hustlers who love hunting for hidden gems.

If you’re into collectibles, trading cards are a solid side hustle—just be ready to put in the work!

4. Trading

Trading is the opposite of passive dividend investing—it’s fast-paced, hands-on, and requires strategy. But if done right, it can be way more profitable (and risky).

Different Trading Styles (Pick Your Fighter)

Day Trading

  • Buy and sell stocks within the same day.
  • Requires full attention during market hours.
  • Best for those who can handle stress and quick decisions.

Scalping

  • Super-fast trades (sometimes seconds/minutes).
  • Often uses bots/algorithms (like Wall Street firms).
  • High-speed, high-risk.

Swing Trading

  • Hold stocks for days or weeks, selling when they peak.
  • Less intense than day trading—good for part-timers.
  • Relies on technical + fundamental analysis.

How to Actually Make Money (Not Lose It)

  • Risk Management is Key – Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
  • Choose Your Tools – Some traders use charts (technical analysis), others study company finances (fundamentals).
  • Pick the Right Platform – Low fees and fast execution matter (think Interactive Brokers, ThinkorSwim, or TradingView).

Quick Summary

  • Potential Profit: High (but so is the risk).
  • Time Needed: Ranges from “a few hours a week” (swing trading) to “all day, every day” (day trading).
  • Startup Cost: Any amount—but more capital = more flexibility.

Trading isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme—it’s a skill. The winners are disciplined, patient, and always learning. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s one of the most exciting ways to grow your money online.

5. Online real estate investing

Renting out property has always been a solid way to make money, but these days, you don’t need to deal with leaky faucets, bad tenants, or taking out a massive mortgage. Thanks to tech, you can invest in real estate without ever owning a physical property.

How to Invest in Real Estate Online (No Landlord Drama Needed)

1. REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)

  • Think of these like “stocks for real estate.”
  • You invest in a fund that owns properties (apartments, malls, offices), and you earn a share of the rental income.

Pros: Passive income, low startup cost, no maintenance.
Cons: Lower short-term gains, market risks.

2. Crowdfunding Platforms

  • Pool your money with other investors to buy properties (or parts of them).
  • Sites like Fundrise or RealtyMogul let you start small ($500 or less).

Pros: Diversification, no property management.

Cons: Less liquidity (your money may be tied up for years).

3. Flipping Properties (Virtually)

  • Some platforms let you buy, renovate, and sell properties online.

Pros: Higher profit potential if the market’s hot.

Cons: Riskier, requires research.

Watch Out for the Risks

  • Market Crashes: Remember 2008? Real estate isn’t always safe.
  • Commercial Real Estate Bubble? With remote work rising, offices and malls might struggle.
  • Scams: Stick to well-known platforms.

Quick Summary

  • Cost to Start: As little as $100 (REITs/crowdfunding) or more for flipping.
  • Effort: Low (passive) to medium (active strategies).
  • Profit: Slow and steady (REITs) or higher but riskier (flipping).
  • Key Rule: Do your homework—real estate isn’t a guaranteed win.

Bottom Line

If you want passive income, REITs or crowdfunding are great. If you’re okay with higher risk, flipping or commercial real estate could pay off. Either way, you can now invest in real estate without ever fixing a toilet.

6. Real estate flipping

This isn’t for the faint of heart—but if you’ve got cash, guts, and a knack for spotting hidden gems, flipping properties can be one of the most profitable ways to build wealth.

How It Works (Without the Backbreaking Labor)

Find the Right Property

  • Hunt for undervalued homes in up-and-coming neighborhoods (look for signs of future development, like new schools, transit, or businesses moving in).
  • Online listings (Zillow, Realtor.com) + local market research are key.

Renovate Smart—Not Hard

  • You don’t need to swing a hammer yourself. Hire contractors and manage remotely.
  • Focus on high-impact, low-cost upgrades (fresh paint, kitchen refreshes, curb appeal).

Sell for a Big Profit (or Rent It Out)

  • If the area’s growing fast, you might profit from appreciation alone.
  • For bigger returns, flip quickly or turn it into a rental.

The Big Risks (Don’t Skip This Part!)

  • Massive Upfront Costs – You’ll need serious cash (or deep debt) to buy + renovate.
  • Market Volatility – If the economy dips, you could get stuck with a money pit.
  • Bad Contractor Deals – If you’re not hands-on, hire trusted pros.

Who Should Try This?

  • You have capital (or access to loans).
  • You’re okay with risk (this isn’t “safe” investing).
  • You’ve done your homework on local real estate trends.

Quick Summary

  • Startup Cost: Very high (buying property + renovations ain’t cheap).
  • Effort: Medium (if you hire out the work).
  • Profit Potential: Huge—but so are the losses if it goes wrong.

Final Advice

If you’re going for it:

  • Start small (don’t bet your life savings on the first deal).
  • Partner with experts (a local real estate agent or contractor can save you).
  • Have an exit plan (what if the market crashes?).

This is the big leagues of money-making—thrilling, but not for beginners. Ready to take the plunge? 

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