How I built $5,000 of passive income starting with $0

My intake of dividends is continuing to grow.

| More on:
Happy dad watching tv with kids, symbolising passive income.

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

Passive income is a key goal of mine, and I'm now receiving a sizeable sum of annual dividends.

However I started with $0 several years ago, and it took time to grow.

It has been a volatile journey, and there were some dud investments along the way. But, I'm pleased with how things are going.

I'd say there are three things that have helped get me to more than $5,000 of annual passive income.

Regularly investing

It takes money to make money, including with the ASX share market. Compounding is a powerful tool, but I needed to add snow to the money snowball which can make it grow faster.

I've tried to invest in the ASX share market every month, with the size of the investment depending on how my household's income and expenses play out each month.

Everyone's finances are different, but let me demonstrate what investing $1,500 per month can do – if the portfolio returns an average of 10% per annum and grows for 10 years, the portfolio would become worth $287,000. My portfolio is worth nowhere near as much as that, but I can see how much growth can help my portfolio's returns in the future.

A $287,000 portfolio with a 5% dividend yield would make $14,350 of annual dividends.

Choose businesses with growing passive dividend income

I have filled my portfolio with businesses that can deliver dividend growth and hopefully capital growth themselves. By making those picks, I believe that will mean I need to contribute less of my own money.

For example, in my portfolio, I own ASX dividend shares like Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) and L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF), which have been building a reputation for passive income growth.

Long-term dividend growth is an attractive feature. Annual dividend income of $100 which grows by 10% thanks to a dividend increase reaches $110 next year. That doesn't sound like much.

Fast forward to receiving $5,000 of annual income – a 10% rise would take that to $5,500. That's a lot of extra cash flowing in for one year.

That's why I like looking at businesses that have a habit of delivering good dividend growth.

Investing during market dips

As I've mentioned, I do regularly invest every month. I've significantly increased the size of my investments when share prices drop heavily.

Low share prices can boost the dividend yield from ASX dividend shares. For example, if an investment has a 5% dividend yield and the share price drops 30%, the yield (for new investors) is boosted to 6.5%.

I invested heavily during the 2020 COVID-19 crash and during 2022 to supercharge my dividend income, with a particular focus on the listed investment company (LIC) WAM Microcap Limited (ASX: WMI). I like the growth potential of ASX small-cap shares, and the LIC normally pays a large dividend yield to shareholders.

Recently, I have been investing in a number of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares that I think have long-term (passive dividend income) potential.

Should you invest $1,000 in Telstra Corporation Limited right now?

Before you buy Telstra Corporation Limited shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Telstra Corporation Limited wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Brickworks, L1 Long Short Fund, Wam Microcap, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Brickworks and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Dividend Investing

Australian notes and coins symbolising dividends.
Industrials Shares

ASX 200 dividend stock reveals next quarterly passive income payout

The ASX 200 dividend stock announced its quarterly results and latest passive income payout.

Read more »

Animation of a man measuring a percentage sign, symbolising rising interest rates.
Dividend Investing

Forget term deposits and buy these ASX dividend stocks in May

Interest rates could be heading lower so consider these shares that analysts rate as buys instead.

Read more »

Two pink pillar candles lit and shown with a pink background, indicating rosy news for the Dusk share price.
Dividend Investing

This ASX dividend share is expected to pay a 15% yield in 2026!

This small business is predicted to pay a huge yield.

Read more »

A woman presenting company news to investors looks back at the camera and smiles.
Dividend Investing

Analysts rate these top ASX dividend shares as buys this month

Income investors might want to check out these buy-rated shares.

Read more »

Man holding fifty Australian Dollar banknote in his hands, symbolising dividends, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

Want $5,000 a year in ASX dividends? Here's how to build towards it

Here are three steps to take if you want to generate an income from the share market.

Read more »

Beautiful young couple enjoying in shopping, symbolising passive income.
Dividend Investing

3 ASX dividend stocks perfect for passive income portfolios

Analysts are bullish on these income stocks. Let's see what they are recommending.

Read more »

Woman with headphones on relaxing and looking at her phone happily.
Dividend Investing

This is the number one factor I look for when buying ASX dividend shares

I love looking for passive income stocks.

Read more »

Close-up of a business man's hand stacking gold coins into piles on a desktop.
Dividend Investing

Why BHP and these ASX dividend shares are buys

Analysts think these shares would be top buys for income investors.

Read more »