Understanding the Three Different Types of Income

Part of learning to become financially free is to beginpayments usually come monthly, and require little or no
to understand that there are three different types ofwork for you to receive them. Some types of assets
income. They are: capital gains, passive income, andthat produce passive income are rental properties,
earned income. They are the three types of ways todividend stocks, and businesses. Assets that produce
make money, and are very easy to understand.passive income continue to do so until the asset is
Capital Gains - When you buy a stock, and sell it for aliquidated (sold). Passive income is what makes a
higher price, you have made a capital gain. If you buy aperson rich. If a person has more than enough passive
house and then later sell it for a profit, you have madeincome to cover his or her expenses, that person is
a capital gain. If you buy an antique at a low price andrich.
then sell it for a nice profit, you have made a capitalEarned Income - Earned income is the primary source
gain. Capital gains are not passive income. They are aof income for most American's today. Any type of job
one-time payment that you receive from anthat pays an hourly wage, pays earned income.
investment because your investment has increased inPeople who rely only on earned income, pay the most
value. Investing for Capital Gains is great because youtaxes. Federal, State, Unemployment, Social Security,
can keep your money moving, instead of just letting itand Medicare taxes are all deducted from a persons
sit in the bank. The government loves to tax capitalpaycheck. With passive income and capital gains, the
gains, especially if you bought and sold your investmenttypes of taxes you pay (if you have to pay any at all)
in less than one year. Lets say you buy a stock, anddepend on your investment. Earned income is not
the stock doubles in price during the week so younecessarily a bad thing. Having a job or career is a
decide to sell it. You've made a nice capital gain, butgreat way to earn the capital required in order to
the government could take as much as 35% on thatcreate assets.
capital gain, depending where you are in theAlmost everyone who starts his or her own journey to
income-tax bracket. If you hold onto your investmentfinancial freedom begins with earned income. Relying
for a year or more, the government rewards you withsolely on earned income should be temporary. In
a more favorable capital gains tax rate.America today, many people rely on earned income
Passive Income - Passive income is payments thatalone, and saving most their earned income for many
you receive from the assets you have created. Theseyears until they retire.