As global inflation drives prices ever higher, individuals worldwide are increasingly seeking methods to supplement their income. From dog walking to food delivery services like DoorDash, side hustles have surged in popularity. However, determining which opportunity offers the best return for minimal effort can be daunting. Fortunately, Tom Blake, a 29-year-old Canadian, has extensively experimented with numerous side hustles and now discloses which ones yield the highest financial rewards with the least amount of work.
From Student Debt to Financial Freedom
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Blake recounted that his journey into side hustles began in 2014 while he was a college student. Between classes, he worked at a campus Starbucks, earning just enough to cover basic living expenses. Like many students, he accumulated debt, but his determination to pay off tuition led him to explore various side ventures, including reselling textbooks and freelance writing.
"I tried so many ideas early on. Some of them worked out alright, but some of the ideas were complete flops," he admitted. "I attempted one passive income scheme called phone farming, which I discovered on Reddit. It promised hundreds of dollars monthly, but I barely made $30 and was thoroughly disappointed."
Launching a Successful Blog
Blake soon realized that the sheer volume of available side hustles made it overwhelming to identify truly profitable opportunities. In 2018, after graduating and securing a position at a digital marketing agency, he launched a blog titled This Online World. He dedicated his free time to testing every side hustle he could find and documenting detailed reviews on his platform.
"I persisted, publishing comprehensive income reports, side hustle tests, and evaluations. My audience gradually expanded, primarily through Google searches and social media platforms such as Pinterest and Reddit," Blake explained. By the blog's fourth year, advertising revenue approached $100,000, prompting him to leave his job and focus entirely on his online venture.
Top Recommended Side Hustles
Blake shared his most successful side hustle discoveries with the Daily Mail, emphasizing options that are accessible and require minimal effort.
Paid Surveys
"This side hustle doesn't pay much, but it's super beginner-friendly," Blake noted. "Numerous companies compensate individuals for answering questions on topics like entertainment, food, music, and politics, which interest market researchers. You earn for each completed survey and can typically cash out via PayPal or gift cards from retailers like Amazon." His preferred survey platforms include Branded Surveys, Prolific, and Survey Junkie.
Odd Jobs via Craigslist and Taskrabbit
Blake also found that performing odd jobs through Craigslist proved highly lucrative. "People will pay for assistance with moving, cleaning, landscaping, snow shoveling, and various other tasks," he said. "You can also list similar services on the app Taskrabbit. Sometimes, individuals post requests in Facebook Groups, or you can advertise your offerings there."
Niche Apps with Better Pay
While many are familiar with food delivery apps like DoorDash or ride-sharing services like Uber, Blake highlighted lesser-known applications that offer superior compensation without oversaturation. "For instance, companies like Oppizi pay individuals to distribute flyers in their neighborhoods. Another example is Sharetown, which compensates you for collecting bulky returns, such as furniture and mattresses, and reselling them on Facebook Marketplace," he revealed.
Reward Apps
Blake identified reward apps as an exceptionally profitable side hustle, generating several hundred dollars monthly. "There are countless apps and websites that pay for activities like downloading apps, playing games, or even opening a free checking account," he shared. "Rewards can sometimes reach hundreds of dollars. Freecash is a major player in this field, with millions of global members. I also recommend Scrambly and Kashkick as popular rewards platforms."
Cashback Apps
Lastly, Blake suggested utilizing cashback apps, which provide rewards on specific purchases. "For example, the Upside app allows you to earn cashback on gasoline, restaurants, and groceries. I use Fetch for cashback on grocery purchases. Newer apps like Franki even pay you to explore your city and sample new restaurants and bars. These apps are abundant and extremely beginner-friendly," he added.
Side Hustles to Avoid
Blake cautioned against side hustles that demand significant financial investments. "Avoid ventures like starting a dropshipping business and spending thousands on paid advertisements to test products, or Amazon FBA, which requires upfront inventory investment. While these models can succeed, they impose immense pressure if you begin in debt or deplete your savings," he advised.
Essential Advice for Success
Blake's paramount recommendation is to start small and maintain consistency. "Once you gain experience, you can explore higher-potential ideas. Setting a clear income goal is crucial to selecting side hustles that align with your financial targets," he stated. "Accurately track all additional income and any expenses. This practice is vital for tax purposes, ensuring you report income correctly and potentially claim deductions for side hustle-related costs."
