This article has been updated as of 23 December 2024.

“You will never achieve financial freedom by working 9-5 or renting out your time.”

“You must own an equity, or a piece of business that can make you money while you sleep.”

These are the words of Naval Ravikant, a prolific tech investor and founder of AngelList.

Earning passive income does not always require a huge capital. You don’t have to invest hundreds of thousands in order to see a healthy return. In fact, you can start from as low as RM1,000, often even lower.

Here are 8 places where you can make your money work for you.

1. Fixed Deposits (3.70-4.00% pa)

• Risk: Low 🟢

• PIDM insured: YES ✅

• Shariah-compliant: YES (Islamic banking) ✅

• To start: Apply online through your mobile banking app.

FDs offer two valuable benefits: safety and predictability.

Your money will grow at a predetermined rate, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll earn at the end of the term.

Though cash apps like Versa, Rize, and Touch n’ GO+ offer higher earnings and flexibility, the returns are not guaranteed and often fluctuate depending on market conditions.

Check out the best FD rates (updated monthly): https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/best-fixed-deposit-rates-monthly-2024

2. ASB and ASM (4-6% pa)

• Risk: Low 🟢

• PIDM insured: NO ❌

• Shariah-compliant: YES ✅

• To start: Download the myASNB app.

Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM) are fixed-priced unit trust funds that have never delivered negative returns.

Though the dividends may have been declining over the years, it is still a very attractive option for low-risk investors who are seeking higher returns compared to traditional fixed deposits.

There are also no sales charges, upfront costs, or redemption charges.

Learn more about ASB and ASM: https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/asb-asm-asnb-can-malaysians-invest

3. Banking and Cash apps (3-5% pa)

• Risk: Low 🟢

• PIDM insured: DEPENDS

• Shariah-compliant: DEPENDS

• To start: Download any one of the apps.

Each app has its respective pros and cons, with some allowing you to deposit/withdraw instantly at the cost of slightly lower returns.

Regardless, you should understand that the returns from these apps will fluctuate depending on market conditions.

Rize, for instance, previously set their earnings rate at 5.0% pa, before gradually reducing it down to 4.0% pa and now 3.3% pa.

Learn more about my favourite apps: https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/5-best-places-store-savings-right-now

4. Gold (7-10% pa in the past 5 years)

• Risk: Moderate 🟡

• PIDM insured: NO ❌

• Shariah-compliant: DEPENDS

• To start: Invest with regulated brokers, Open a gold investment account, Buy physical gold.

Gold has been with us for thousands of years, often seen as the pinnacle of standard and valued for its rarity, durability, and beauty.

In fact, the United States used to peg the dollar to gold at $35 an ounce before abolishing it entirely in 1971.

Since then, the price of gold has skyrocketed by more than 6,400%, reflecting the extent of money printing by central banks across the world.

That said, portfolio managers recommend limiting your gold investment to less than 10% of your overall portfolio, as it is generally only used as an inflation hedge and means of diversification.

Explore more: https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/gold-1548-since-january

5. Local bank stocks (6-9% pa including dividends)

• Risk: Moderate 🟡

• PIDM insured: NO ❌

• Shariah-compliant: NO ❌

• To start: Regulated brokers such as Rakuten, MooMoo, and M+ Global.

Bank stocks are known for their generous dividends, relatively “stable” share price, and lower volatility compared to other stocks.

Typically, most banks pay dividends twice a year - once in March and once more in September.

Take Maybank for instance. In the past decade, its annual dividend yield ranged from 50 to 60 cents a share, regardless of how the broader market performed.

However, banks are not immune to economic downturns and can experience volatility.

Learn more about the pros and cons of banks: https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/still-invest-malaysian-banks

6. US Stocks and ETFs (>8% pa)

• Risk: High 🔴

• PIDM insured: NO ❌

• Shariah-compliant: DEPENDS

• To start: Regulated brokers such as Rakuten, MooMoo, and M+ Global.

It’s hard to ignore the US stock market when it comes to investing.

The United States is the largest economy in the world, with its stock markets (NYSE and NASDAQ) boasting a total capitalization of $50 trillion.

9 of the top 10 companies in the world belong to the United States. Having exposure to these companies will provide you with a diverse portfolio, enhancing the potential for stable returns and long-term growth.

Exposure to USD denominated assets also helps fight against local inflation - we are well familiar with how much the Malaysian ringgit has depreciated in the past two decades.

Learn how to start investing in the US market: https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/start-investing-us-market-f0d7

7. Aggressive Mutual Funds (>8% pa)

• Risk: High 🔴

• PIDM insured: NO ❌

• Shariah-compliant: DEPENDS

• To start: Download Versa, Touch n’ GO, or speak to an agent with Public Mutual.

Mutual funds are often diversified across a variety of assets.

Depending on your selection, you can have exposure to US stocks, UK, Singapore, Germany, or even Chinese assets.

Each fund typically has its own theme (ie. technology, commodity, etc.) and therefore carry a varying degree of risk.

You’ll have to decide for yourself what type of fund that you’re looking for, with consideration on its historic returns, Shariah-compliance, and sales fees.

Learn more about mutual funds:
https://thefuturizts.beehiiv.com/p/ringgit-weak

8. Bitcoin (>50% pa) ⚠️

• Risk: Extreme 🔴🔴

• PIDM insured: NO ❌

• Shariah-compliant: YES (Bitcoin & Ethereum)

• To start: Regulated crypto exchanges such as Luno, Sinegy, and Tokenize

Watching Bitcoin plunge from $69,000 to $15,500 in less than a year before rallying to an all-time high of $99,500 shows just how volatile this asset is.

The returns can significantly vary depending on when you invest.

Thus, portfolio managers don’t recommend an exposure of more than 1-3% for low-risk investors, and up to 9-10% for high-risk investors.

Start investing with Luno: https://www.luno.com/invite/SSZXGK

How fast will my money grow?

Using the Rule of 72, you can estimate how long it takes for your funds to double.

With RM1,000 and a return of 8% pa, it will take 9 years to grow to RM2,000.

This is assuming that you do not add/remove any capital.

Important thing to note ⚠️

An asset with higher risk doesn’t always equate to higher returns, because there are no guarantees.

Therefore, it’s wise to diversify your investments so you won’t be too committed to a single asset.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored article. Investing in any of the products above has their respective risks. Some are very different from opening a deposit account with a financial institution. You should always speak to a financial planner before making any investing decisions. ⚠️

Thanks for reading till the end!

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