Passive Income
PASSIVE INCOME
(yes, this is a click-bait)
The Illusion of
Effortless Wealth
The concept of passive income has gained almost mythic status among proponents of financial independence. The idea that money can flow in without continuous labor is enticing, right?
Yet, the real-world success of passive income ventures is limited to a small fraction of people: those with exceptional skills, capital, or sheer luck. For most individuals, passive income remains more an illusion than a real-life opportunity.
High Entry Barriers
and Initial Costs
Almost every passive income stream demands significant upfront investment. Rental properties require large down payments, maintenance, and stable property markets. Dividend investing needs sizable initial capital to produce meaningful returns.
Even low-cost digital ventures such as blogging or affiliate marketing demand time, technical knowledge, and often paid promotion to gain traction. For the average person with limited resources, these barriers make genuine passivity impossible.
Active Maintenance
Hidden Behind
the Term “Passive”
Few so-called passive income sources remain passive in reality. Real estate investors must manage tenants, handle repairs, and deal with legal and tax compliance. Book authors must keep marketing their work, updating editions, and maintaining relevance in a crowded marketplace.
Similarly, creators on digital platforms constantly adapt to changing algorithms and audience preferences. What looks “passive” from afar often conceals consistent active involvement.
Talent and Timing
Over Average Effort
Those who successfully earn from passive income (best-selling authors, popular YouTubers, prolific coders, OnlyFans stars) often rely on extraordinary talent, timing, or niche expertise. Their success is neither easily repeatable nor scalable for the average person.
Many try to emulate such examples without realizing that these represent statistical exceptions rather than replicable formulas.
Financial Independence
Through Passivity
(Yes, It is a Myth)
Financial influencers often promote passive income as a path to independence, but real independence usually stems from accumulated wealth and consistent, disciplined saving.
Most so-called “passive” earners build their wealth from active work or business before they can delegate or automate. The myth persists because it sells hope, not because it reflects reality.
My Inference:
Passive Income Is
Not for Everyone
True passive income (steady, effortless, and sustainable) is very very rare. It typically requires established capital, unique skill, or strong networks.
For ordinary people, the pursuit of passive income can become a distraction from more reliable financial strategies like active investing, skill development, and long-term career growth.
The belief in easy, self-sustaining money streams is comforting, but in practice, it belongs more to fantasy than financial planning.
- Jishnu Chatterjee,
Friday, Jan 2, 2026.
