How to Make Money Online in 2026: What I’ve Learned After Building Multiple Income Streams From Home

If you’re anything like me, you love making beautiful things. And for the longest time, I genuinely believed my purpose online was to create — with my hands, with my ideas, with my little bursts of ManiGen inspired creativity. 

That’s exactly how I stumbled into Etsy. One day, I listed a few digital downloads “for fun.” I didn’t think much of it. Honestly, I didn’t even think anyone would buy. But the next morning, I woke up to a notification… then another… then another. Within a few months, those tiny digital listings had turned into thousands of dollars. Eventually, I hit months of $1000+, all from items I didn’t need to pack, post, or hold inventory for.

Watch my video on budgeting for a small business to track your expenses and income

But here’s the part people don’t talk about: earning on Etsy doesn’t mean you’re free. When your store grows, so does everything else—platform fees, competition, customer messages, refund requests, design pressure, burnout, and the constant need to keep up with trends. I loved the thrill of creating, but the pressure was real. My energy started shifting from excitement to obligation. If you’re a mom, especially a busy one, you’ll understand this feeling deeply. Suddenly, my “side hustle” was running me — and I didn’t like that at all.

At the same time, Etsy was changing. Fees were increasing, policies were tightening, and overnight rule changes could completely tank your momentum. I saw creators working themselves to the bone just to maintain their ranking. It didn’t feel sustainable anymore. And even though I was earning big months, I was also spending big chunks of time that pulled me away from the life I actually wanted: slow mornings, more time with my family, and a business that didn’t depend on constantly producing “newness.”

That’s when I started exploring other income models. And funny enough, the thing I had once dismissed — affiliate marketing — kept popping up. Unlike Etsy, affiliate marketing didn’t require me to create products, handle customers, manage endless tasks, or compete with a saturated marketplace. I realized I could make money simply by sharing tools, systems, and products I already used and loved. No shipping. No design deadlines. No customer service. And the more I learned about it, the more I realized how beginner-friendly it actually was, especially compared to building a full Etsy store.

The shift happened naturally. I started blogging about what I knew — digital products, passive income, homeschooling, and online business — and paired that content with affiliate links. Slowly, consistently, I began earning commissions. The best part? My blog posts from months ago still bring me traffic and income today without me touching them. It felt like I was finally building something long-term instead of running on a hamster wheel.

So yes, I used to sell on Etsy. Yes, I made great money. Yes, it was a beautiful season. But today, I don’t sell there anymore — because I found something that fits my lifestyle so much better. Now I focus on affiliate marketing and blogging, and honestly? For me, this is by far the best business model I’ve ever worked with. It’s flexible, scalable, mom-friendly, and doesn’t require me to be chained to production or trends.

If you’re craving something simpler, lighter, and more sustainable, just know: it exists. I’m living proof.