"All I've gotten so far out of everything was to write articles, write some more articles, and when your done with that go and write some more articles"

That's pretty much it lol

Your current hurdles sound similar to mine when I first started out, as do your goals. I picked out a niche with high monthly searches but the competition turned out quite a bit heavier than 469 QSR -- which I ignored like an idiot because, oh, 69 isn't that much higher than 400. I've learned a few things from then, though. Firstly, if it's got over 200 monthly searches, it's a competitive keyword. And if it's a competitive keyword, put in triple the effort to get it on page one, because those are worth it. Lastly, the whole "forum hopping" thing (going from forum to forum to promote your site) is not optional if you're in a competitive niche. I've discovered that Yahoo! Answers is a great place to get some immediate traffic and backlinks.

What's your niche, anyway?

You are on the right track and doing well! My best to your success.

That's the spirit! When I started I didn't have sites like this to guide me. I just liked designing neat looking sites. Wasn't even considering making money. Then the lightbulb went off in my head and I started researching affiliate programs. Let me tell you I definitely started out with some really crappy programs. But I still loved what I was doing so I kept researching and learning. I'm still learning but now I'm making a comfortable income from my hard work. So keep looking forward and you'll eventually reach your destination.

It will be hard at first, but if you stick with it, it will get easier and easier. When those checks start coming in, you won't want to stop. Keep your head up and it will all work out for the best.

Stick with it and you will succeed, you have just realized what this is all about, hard work, it take years for some people to realize that (stop chasing the next shiny thing and put in the work) and they wonder why they are not making a bunch of money...

With a plan that you have and realistic goals that you also seem to have you will be getting closer and closer to that first check...

Let us know if you need any help,

Veronica