Investing money: Stocks, bonds, ETFs, options: That's how it works with making extra money without a job

Psychologists know that even thinking about passive income triggers feelings of luck in our brains. The regular stream of money without any work is challenging to achieve initially, but it is possible. Handelsblatt details four investment strategies that show how to attain this goal. Bonds promise a particularly calculable passive income.

Investors can learn how to benefit from this trend here. Many companies offer consistently increasing dividend payouts. Learn how to make dividend stocks a source of passive income here. But you can get even more out of your stocks, such as through call options. Funds and ETFs can also provide high dividend yield returns for passive income.

The allure of passive income lies in the fact that most people's brains go into overdrive upon hearing these two words. No more deadlines, just doing what you want and without the nagging question, "Who will pay for this?" This is likely the appeal and success of many self-proclaimed financial strategists who boldly promote their ideas for passive income on social media.

"Psychologically, the idea of passive income primarily satisfies three desires: security, freedom, and relief," says Valentin Haas, a psychologist and executive coach. He has seen this phenomenon in countless sessions: Just when someone feels trapped in a never-ending hamster wheel, the mere thought of breaking free provides a sense of relief.

At that moment, our brain releases dopamine, believing we've found an escape - even though the situation hasn't changed. "Videos, success stories, and promises like 'Save amount X and you can live off it forever' trigger a genuine dopamine rush," the psychologist explains. However, those who delve deeper into the offerings often find little specifics.

There are few questions where concrete numbers play a significant role in determining whether passive income can work. Whether it can succeed depends on several factors.