Milwaukee man who invested almost $7,000 installing two vending machines reveals how much they've made him in a year
Published on Apr 28, 2026 at 9:53 PM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Apr 28, 2026 at 9:53 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
One guy decided to invest in tech that that you probably walk past every day, putting almost $7,000 into installing two vending machines.
After placing the machines inside a school teachers’ lounge, the YouTuber tracked every dollar over 12 months.
What seemed like an easy passive income stream actually proved to need more effort than expected, and he might start branching out.
But the final results show exactly how the business performed after a full year in action.
How much money the vending machines made
The YouTuber, Financial Wolf, spent $6,996 setting up the two vending machines.
Over the course of a year, they brought in $7,160.50 in total revenue.
That might sound like a win, but the reality is a bit more complicated.
After paying a 25 percent commission to the school where he installed them, and spending around $2,500 on stock, his actual take-home profit came to $2,870.37.
So while the machines did make money, he’s still not fully in profit when it comes to recovering his original investment.
In the short term, though, they proved fairly consistent and over two weeks, for example, the machines generated $434.10, with the majority of that coming from card payments rather than cash.
Why he’s pivoting his business plan
Financial Wolf found that running vending machines isn’t entirely passive.
He had to deal with restocking, machine faults, and even stock going to waste when it expired before being sold.
He also admitted that location played a huge role, and a teachers’ lounge isn’t the most profitable place compared to busier environments.
Because of that, he’s now looking into phone charger vending machines, which can offer higher margins.
These allow people to rent portable chargers in places like bars or venues, and if they’re not returned, they are charged a fee that can generate extra profit, and even so, his current setup still works out at around $53 per hour for a few hours of work each month.
So while it’s not a huge money-maker, his vending machines are a steady side hustle that’s helping fund his next move into more profitable vending ideas.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
