Jing Pan

Sun, Jun 1, 2025, 2:47 AM6 min read

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

To combat America’s declining birth rate, the Trump administration is reportedly considering a $5,000 “baby bonus” for new mothers.

According to The New York Times, a chorus of proposals have been floated at the White House to encourage Americans to get married and have more children. One idea gaining attention: a $5,000 cash bonus for every new mother after delivery.

• Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

• BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis

• Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)

When asked Tuesday at the White House whether his administration was considering such a bonus, Trump didn’t hesitate. “Sounds like a good idea to me,” told reporters.

America’s total fertility rate (TFR) has been declining for decades. In 1960, it stood at 3.65 births per woman. By 1990, it had fallen to about 2.1 — roughly the replacement level needed for a population to replace itself from one generation to the next — and by 2023, it had dropped further to just 1.62, according to a March 2025 report from the CDC.

But while $5,000 is nothing to sneeze at, some experts and parents say it’s unlikely to move the needle — especially given the soaring cost of raising a child in America today.

According to SmartAsset, the median annual cost for two working parents to raise one child in the U.S. is $22,850.

And although Trump appears to like the idea of a $5,000 baby bonus, there’s no guarantee it will move forward. A White House official told CBS MoneyWatch that no final decision has been made.

In the meantime, soaring living costs — from housing to groceries to healthcare — are putting pressure on Americans across the board, whether they have children or not. In an environment where every dollar counts, finding ways to build additional income streams can make a real difference.

Here’s a look at three simple ways to start earning passive income — sources of money that keep flowing with little day-to-day effort.

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 time-tested hedge against inflation, as property values and rental income tend to rise alongside the cost of living.