How I'd invest $100 a month in ASX shares to aim for annual passive income of $18,000

You don't need a huge pile of money to rake in a pretty decent amount each year without working.

A woman sits in her home with chin resting on her hand and looking at her laptop computer with some reflection with an assortment of books and documents on her table.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Thanks to the magic of compounding and ASX shares, it doesn't take a massive amount to get started on a journey to significant passive income.

How would you like your regular wages supplemented with $18,000 that you didn't have to work for? Sounds pretty good, right?

Let's see how the ordinary punter can get themselves to that position in just 10 years:

Let's create a diversified stock portfolio

Comparison site Finder recently conducted a survey that found the average Australian had $39,459 saved up.

So let's start with that to build a stock portfolio.

To grow it to a nest egg capable of producing $18,000 of passive income, I would choose a diversified basket of growth shares.

Note the word diversified

Experts say diversification is the only free lunch in investing because you don't want your success to all hinge on the fortunes or misfortunes of one particular sector or region.

Three examples of growth stocks ripe for long-term investing are Xero Limited (ASX: XRO), Camplify Holdings Ltd (ASX: CHL), and RPMGlobal Holdings Ltd (ASX: RUL).

I consider them quality businesses that are making great strides in expanding their revenue and profitability.

And they play in different sectors and geographies to provide decent diversification.

New Zealand company Xero makes accounting software for small and medium-sized business clients. Its biggest market is Australia and New Zealand but is growing its presence in North America and the United Kingdom.

Camplify's customers are consumers who are seeking short-term rentals of campervans from private owners. It's a platform like Airbnb Inc (NASDAQ: ABNB) but for recreational vehicles.

Big mining companies are the ones who buy RPMGlobal's technology and consulting services.

Add to it regularly and watch the investment grow 

Remembering that past performance is no indicator of what the future holds, let's take a look at how these shares went in recent years so we can hypothesise about how our portfolio could grow.

The Xero share price has gained more than 160% over the past five years, despite plunges during the first COVID-19 wave and the 2022 growth stock sell-off.

Camplify listed in late June 2021 and over the past three-and-a-bit years has rocketed 65%.

Meanwhile, RPMGlobal shares have soared in excess of 137% over the last half-decade.

All three have capital growth rates that exceed doubling of the share price in five years.

But let's be conservative with our calculations and assume our diversified portfolio can double each half-decade.

That equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.87%.

This means that your $39.459 portfolio, with $100 added each month, could grow to a tidy $182,048.54 after 10 years.

Now we can get our grubby hands on some passive income.

Collect your passive income cheque every year

From this point, there are a couple of ways of harvesting passive income.

The straightforward method is to leave the portfolio as is and simply sell any gains made each year.

Even if the companies mature and the CAGR can't quite stay at 14.87%, a 10% return each year will allow you to pocket $18,205 of passive income.

Nice work!

The pro of this route is the simplicity in transition from growth to the income phase. The con is that the income could be quite volatile.

As we all know, share markets can have wildly fluctuating fortunes from year to year. That means that while the average payout could be $18,000, some years you might see nothing while other times you may receive an absolute windfall.

If you sought more stability in income, you may consider switching the portfolio over to ASX dividend shares.

Again, you'll want to buy a diversified set of stocks. A trio that I can think of are Abacus Group (ASX: ABG), GR Engineering Services Ltd (ASX: GNG), and Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA).

They play in distinct industries — real estate, engineering, and energy — and offer excellent dividend yields of 17.4% unfranked, 8.8% fully franked and 9.7% fully franked respectively.

If you can average out a yield of 10% per annum from a basket of such income stocks, then you can also rake in $18,205 each year.

The downside of this approach is the research required to overhaul the portfolio, and potential capital gains tax implications from selling the growth shares.

But the advantage might be that the passive income flow will be more predictable year to year.

You will want to seek personal advice to choose the best route for your circumstances.

Best of luck with your investments.

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has positions in Airbnb, Camplify, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Camplify, RPMGlobal, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, Camplify, and RPMGlobal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Investing Strategies

An older executive man dressed in suit trousers and a white shirt sits against a wall smiling with cash rains down over him representing dividend shares like BHP, FMG and Newcrest paying dividends in retirement
How to invest

How you can earn $10,000 a year in passive income from a $10k ASX 200 investment today!

Looking to boost your retirement with an extra $10,000 a year in passive income. Read on...

Read more »

A smiling businessman in the city looks at his phone and punches the air in celebration of good news.
Growth Shares

3 ASX growth shares you'll wish you bought in June

Analysts think these shares could be destined for big things in the future.

Read more »

A smiling woman holds a Facebook like sign above her head.
Dividend Investing

Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend shares to buy in June

Bell Potter thinks these are among the best shares for income investors to buy right now.

Read more »

Father and daughter with hands on a small plant.
ETFs

Focused on growth? Here are 3 ASX ETFs to consider

Growth investors must ignore the current market noise about tariffs and focus on the long-term horizon.

Read more »

a man leans back in his chair with his arms supporting his head as he smiles a satisfied smile while sitting at his desk with his laptop computer open in front of him.
Dividend Investing

With a 5% dividend yield, why I think this leading ASX share is a buy

I think this business offers pleasing income with potential capital gains too.

Read more »

A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.
Blue Chip Shares

The best blue chip ASX 200 shares to buy this month

Let's see which blue chips are best buys according to analysts at Bell Potter.

Read more »

Middle age caucasian man smiling confident drinking coffee at home.
Dividend Investing

3 top ASX dividend shares for income investors to buy

Analysts have good things to say about these income options.

Read more »

A female executive smiles as she carries out business on her mobile phone.
Cheap Shares

Why I think these 2 ASX shares are bargain buys

These businesses have a lot going for them.

Read more »