Introduction

After all, they can do things faster and more efficiently than you. In this article, I’m going to discuss nine machines that you can buy to help you make money.

These machines can legitimately become the foundation for a real business. On top of that, because of how advanced and automated some of them are, they can often be leveraged to generate passive or mostly passive income.

You can also scale easily as your business grows because you can simply buy more machines to meet that demand. For each idea, I will explain what the machine does, how you can make money from it, and, when available, how much you can expect to earn. Let’s get into it.

1. Scooters

Renting a scooter can be a great business opportunity, especially if you live near an urban center or an area with a lot of tourists. The cost is relatively low compared to other forms of transportation, like cars. Starting up this type of business can be feasible even if you don’t have a massive budget. If you want to strike out on your own, try to look for sensible partnership opportunities like local hotels, beaches, college campuses, and the like.

For a more ready-made solution, check out places like Bird, Lime, and Spin. They provide turn-key solutions for those interested in operating their own scooter rental service. According to Bird, owners who manage scooter fleets on their platform can make up to $1,500 per week, which works out to around $6,000 per month.

2. Cars, trucks, and trailers

If you have a larger budget, you can buy cars, trucks, and even much larger vehicles like tractor trailers and rent them out for profit. For run-of-the-mill cars, check out Turo. They are an online car rental platform for individual owners and have a neat tool called the calculator, which estimates your income based on where you live and the type of car you rent out.

For example, in Atlanta, if you have a Nissan Versa, which costs around $13,000 to buy new, you are estimated to earn $7,000 per year. That’s an awesome rate of return of over 50 percent. If you finance it, the rate of return jumps to around 150 percent, according to Turo.

If you want to go bigger, you can rent semi trucks and trailers at sites like COOP.com. According to their website, a tractor-trailer combo can be rented out for $5,890 per month. Pretty compelling numbers for a relatively passive-income business. After all, you are not driving or doing any work; you are simply renting out an asset.

3. CNC Machines

CNC machines are the cornerstone of modern manufacturing. As an entrepreneur, you can use these machines to create intricate designs in wood, metal and other materials, which can later be sold for a tidy profit. For example, some popular woodworking items that sell well include custom wood signage, bookends, wall art, cutting boards, jewelry, and much more.

To get started, you’ll need some basic training, either through a local technical school or online courses. Once you are fully trained in using these machines, you can set up a shop on a platform like Etsy. They specialize in custom-made items, so they are the perfect place to sell your CNC creations.

4. Programmable Sewing Machines

The demand for personalized items has increased in recent years. With a programmable sewing machine, you can capitalize on this trend by creating embroidered clothes, initial towels, and napkins. The cool thing about this process is that you don’t actually do any sewing.

You download the design or pattern, set up the item on the sewing machine, and press start. The machine embroiders on its own. Selling these unique items on platforms like Etsy or even setting up a Shopify store can generate substantial income. My friend’s wife did exactly this and is doing well.

She sews her customers’ initials onto hand towels and dinner napkins. It’s definitely something that people talk about once they see it.

5. Initialing Machines

Initialing machines, like programmable sewing machines, allow you to customize a variety of items, from watch boxes to leather goods. I recently bought a watch box that had my initials on it.

I think the seller just bought a wooden watch box from AliExpress and engraved my initials on the glass portion of the box. It seems like a pretty low-key way to make money. You can offer what appears to be a highly customized item without doing a lot of custom work.

6. Vending Machines

Vending machines are a time-tested money generator. They range in price, but a high-quality new vending machine can cost thousands of dollars. So be prepared for that. But once you have a location, all you need to do is find a place with high traffic and contact the owner to install your vending machine there.

Keep in mind that this will usually involve some sort of profit sharing.You will need to restock your inventory from time to time, so bear that in mind. But the actual sales happen without your oversight or involvement, so it’s a relatively low-key business.

7. ATMs and Bitcoin ATMs

ATMs, including Bitcoin ATMs, can also be a source of passive income.

Bitcoin ATMs are subject to various regulations. Coin ATM Radar is a helpful platform for finding locations and understanding market trends.

8. 3D Printers

3D printers have revolutionized manufacturing, allowing anyone to create physical objects from digital designs. This means you can create things like jewelry, name tags, keychains, toys, and even customized figurines.

You can sell your creations online, offer custom 3D printing services, or even run workshops that teach others how to use 3D printers. Sites like Thingiverse and Shapeways can help you get started with designs and offer platforms for sale.

9. Drones

Drones offer a unique way to make money through aerial photography and videography. You can offer services for real estate, weddings and other events.

Websites like Dronebase connect drone pilots with clients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while each of these machines requires an initial investment, the potential for creating meaningful income streams awaits you.