Want to build a life-changing second income? For me, the best way to create a forceful and lasting income – and one that requires much less effort than the most popular side hustle – is to invest in the stock market.

Last year FTSE100 it provided investors with a whopping 25% total return. For S&P500 US stock index, the figure was 18%. Those who bought shares in early 2025 could then top up their portfolios, increasing their chances of eventually earning a vast passive income.

The returns were certainly greater than usual. But even at typical interest rates, a miniature investment can generate significant wealth over time. The FTSE global index large- and mid-cap stocks have delivered an average annual return of approximately 12% over the past five years.

Here’s how investing just £100 in global company shares could ultimately yield a second income of £23,455 with minimal effort.

Generating wealth

One of the easiest ways to invest in stocks is with an index-tracking fund. They enable individuals to own parts of many different companies, spreading risk and providing exposure to a wide range of growth and income opportunities. And all this at relatively low costs.

The Vanguard FTSE Global ETFfor example, it tracks the performance of 3,657 companies across regions and industries. And its continuous charging is only 0.19%. If it can continue to deliver the 12% annual return of recent years, a monthly investment of £100 would eventually turn into £335,074 over 30 years.

If you then invested in dividend stocks yielding 7%, a portfolio of this size would generate a passive income of £23,455 per year.

Buying individual shares

Instead of gaining broad exposure to the stock market through a fund, investors can also choose to invest directly in companies. This takes a lot more effort than simply putting cash into an index tracker. However, it can also lead to much better results.

I think a portfolio of 15-20 stocks provides excellent diversification to spread risk and pursue high returns. Game workshops (LSE:GAW) is one of the best growing FTSE 100 companies that I have purchased for my own portfolio.

Thanks to its leading role in a rapidly growing market, the board games specialist continues to enjoy rising profits, even as the wider retail sector struggles. It delivered a total return of 47% last year, beating the performance of the broader FTSE index.

Further price increases in 2026 mean the average annual rate of return over the last decade will be 45%. If you put £100 into Games Workshop shares every month since then, you would now be earning £218,409 (assuming dividends are reinvested).

Can Games Workshop expand?

Past performance is not always a reliable indicator of the future returns of any stock. For Games Workshop, returns may be impacted by increasing competition, which is reducing sales and margins. It may also face increasing cost pressures (including customs expenses).

I’m sure though Warhammer the manufacturer can continue to perform better. The fantasy gaming market has significant growth potential, and Games Workshop is expanding to take advantage of it. The media covers cases like this Amazon creating film, television and video game content can also augment licensing revenues and augment sales of miniatures and boxed games.