‘People are going to be fired’: Trump says ‘a lot’ of US government workers with 2nd, 3rd jobs are getting checks — but not even working. How to earn passive income without risking your job

The rise of multiple job holders

To be sure, holding multiple jobs isn’t unique to government employees — many Americans are doing it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 9.04 million U.S. workers held more than one job in February 2025. That includes 5.37 million people balancing a full-time primary job with a part-time secondary job. Even more striking, 404,000 workers were juggling two full-time jobs.

With inflation still fresh in people’s minds, the high cost of living has made side hustles a necessity for many Americans. At the same time, remote work has made holding multiple jobs more feasible than ever.

Whether you work for the federal government or not, having extra income can be a game-changer — especially with experts predicting rising costs in 2025. Here’s a look at three ways to generate passive income without putting your career at risk.

Invest in real estate without the headache of being a landlord

Imagine owning a portfolio of thousands of well-managed single family rentals or a collection of cutting-edge industrial warehouses. You can now gain access to a $1B portfolio of income-producing real estate assets designed to deliver long-term growth from the comforts of your couch.

The best part? You don’t have to be a millionaire and can start investing in minutes.

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Earn passive income from real estate

Real estate is a popular way to generate recurring income. When you own a rental property and tenants pay rent, you earn a steady monthly cash flow.

It’s also a popular hedge against inflation, as property values and rental income tend to rise alongside the cost of living.

Of course, purchasing a property requires significant capital — and finding the right tenant takes time and effort. But thanks to new investment options, you don’t need to own a property outright to gain exposure to real estate.

For instance, platforms like Homeshares allow accredited investors to gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

The fund focuses on homes with substantial equity, utilizing Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) to help homeowners access liquidity without incurring debt or additional interest payments.

This approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in high-quality residential properties, plus the added benefit of diversification across various regional markets — with a minimum investment of $25,000.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, the U.S. Home Equity Fund could unlock lucrative real estate opportunities, offering retail investors a low-maintenance alternative to traditional property ownership.

Invest in dividend stocks

Investing in dividend stocks — shares of companies that regularly distribute a portion of their profits to shareholders — is another time-tested way to generate passive income.

Dividends are payments made to investors, typically on a quarterly basis, providing a steady income stream without requiring the sale of shares. While stock prices fluctuate, companies with a strong dividend track record allow investors to earn consistent payouts, and some even increase their dividends over time, further boosting returns.

The power of dividends has even caught Musk’s attention. Back in 2023, when reports surfaced that Berkshire Hathaway, the investment empire of legendary investor Warren Buffett, earned $704 million in dividends from its Coca-Cola holdings in one year, Musk couldn’t resist commenting on X, “Berkshire Hathaway high on Coke.”

Of course, choosing the right dividend stocks is key. If you're unsure where to start, a professional can help.

With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how you’re doing so far and make sure you've got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals, and Vanguard’s advisers will help you set a tailored plan that works for you.

Once you’re set, you can sit back as Vanguard’s advisors manage your portfolio. Because they’re fiduciaries, they don’t earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice you’re getting is unbiased.

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High-yield savings accounts

High-yield savings accounts offer a low-risk way to generate passive income while keeping your funds accessible. These accounts typically offer much higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, allowing your money to grow without needing to lock it away in long-term investments. This option is ideal for those who want a secure, liquid source of passive income with minimal effort or risk.

These days, some banks and financial institutions are offering high-yield savings accounts that pay up to 4.5%.

In the U.S., most savings accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. This insurance provides protection to depositors in the event that the bank fails, ensuring that their funds are safe and accessible.