How to Make Money Coming In: 5 Proven Strategies for Consistent Income

The first time I picked up a sword in Avowed, I felt that familiar rush of adrenaline—the kind that makes your palms sweat and your heart race. I was exploring the Emerald Graves, a lush but dangerous forest teeming with creatures, when I stumbled upon a band of marauders. In my hands, I held a basic longsword, its edge slightly dull but serviceable. Beside me, my character also carried a pistol, a weapon I’d been lucky enough to scavenge from a fallen enemy earlier. The combat system in Avowed is visceral and fast-paced; each swing of the sword, each shot from the pistol, feels weighty and consequential. I remember dodging an axe swing, quickly switching to my pistol, and landing a clean shot to an enemy’s shoulder. It was messy, chaotic, and utterly exhilarating. But as I progressed, I realized something was holding me back: my gear. The feedback that combat offers entices you to see how each weapon type works and looks in a skirmish, which makes it surprising that so few are found in chests, offered as quest rewards, or just lay strewn around the map. I’d spent hours exploring, hoping to stumble upon a rare weapon, but most of the time, I came up empty-handed. Merchants offered opportunities to purchase new weapons but at heavily inflated prices, forcing me to use what I was lucky enough to get my hands on. It felt like the game was nudging me toward a specific playstyle, one that didn’t always align with the creative combinations I wanted to try.

That experience in Avowed got me thinking about consistency—not just in gaming, but in life. See, I’ve always been someone who loves experimenting. In my early twenties, I tried my hand at freelance writing, stock trading, and even launching a small e-commerce store. I’d have bursts of income, followed by dry spells that left me scrambling. It was a lot like trying to make weird weapon combinations work in Avowed: fun in theory, but often inefficient when you’re up against real challenges. I remember one month, I made around $800 from a writing gig, but the next, I barely scraped together $200. The instability was draining. And just like in the game, where ability upgrades encourage you to prioritize specific weapon types because it’s far more effective to stick to one-handed weapons and buff their damage, I realized I needed to focus on strategies that would bring in money consistently, rather than spreading myself too thin. That’s when I started researching and testing methods that could provide a steady stream of income. Over time, I narrowed it down to five approaches that have worked for me and countless others. So, if you’ve ever felt the frustration of irregular paychecks or wondered how to make money coming in reliably, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into these five proven strategies for consistent income, and I’ll share some personal stories along the way.

First up, building a diversified investment portfolio. Now, I know what you might be thinking—investing sounds boring or risky, but hear me out. When I first started, I put all my savings into tech stocks, inspired by headlines about massive gains. Big mistake. When the market dipped, I lost nearly 30% of my investment in just a few weeks. It was a harsh lesson, but it taught me the importance of spreading risk. These days, I allocate my funds across stocks, bonds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs), aiming for an average annual return of 7-10%. It’s not get-rich-quick, but it’s dependable. According to historical data, a well-diversified portfolio has consistently outperformed inflation over the long term, and for me, it’s become a cornerstone of my financial stability. Think of it like those ability upgrades in Avowed—instead of dumping all your points into one skill tree, you balance them out to handle whatever the economy throws at you.

Next, let’s talk about freelance work with retainer agreements. I used to hate the feast-or-famine cycle of freelancing, where one month I’d have more projects than I could handle, and the next, I’d be twiddling my thumbs. Then, I discovered retainers. By offering clients ongoing services for a fixed monthly fee, I’ve secured steady income from three long-term clients that bring in about $3,000 a month combined. It’s not as flashy as landing a huge one-off project, but it’s reliable, and it frees up mental energy to pursue other ventures. This reminds me of how merchants in Avowed inflate prices, pushing you to rely on luck—but with retainers, you’re creating your own luck through relationships and consistency.

Another strategy that’s been a game-changer for me is creating digital products. A couple of years ago, I developed an online course about content marketing, and it’s been generating passive income ever since. In its first year, it brought in over $12,000 with minimal ongoing effort. The key is to identify a niche you’re passionate about and build something that provides real value. It’s similar to the joy of making weapon combinations work in Avowed—you’re using creativity to solve problems, but in this case, the rewards keep compounding over time. Of course, it requires upfront work, just like grinding for resources in a game, but the payoff is worth it.

Then there’s affiliate marketing, which I initially dismissed as oversaturated. But after giving it a shot, I’ve seen it add a few hundred dollars to my monthly income. By recommending products I genuinely use—like software tools or books—on my blog and social media, I earn commissions on sales. It’s not my primary income stream, but it’s consistent, and it scales as my audience grows. Last quarter, it accounted for about 15% of my side income, and I’m projecting it to reach 20% by year-end. This approach echoes the idea of making the most of what you have, much like how Avowed forces you to use the weapons you’re lucky to find, rather than always chasing the shiny new thing.

Finally, I can’t overlook the power of rental income. I saved up for a down payment on a small apartment, and now it brings in $1,200 a month after expenses. It’s not without its headaches—tenants, maintenance, you name it—but it’s one of the most reliable ways to build wealth over time. In many ways, it’s the opposite of the RPG-style upgrades in Avowed that push you toward specialization; instead, it’s about diversifying your assets to create multiple income streams. Over the past five years, my rental property has appreciated by roughly 40%, and the cash flow has helped me weather economic downturns without panic.

Reflecting on all this, I’ve learned that consistency in income isn’t about chasing every opportunity—it’s about focusing on what works and optimizing it. Just as I eventually gave up on some of Avowed’s most interesting weapon combinations because spreading my ability points made me a jack of all trades but master of none, I’ve prioritized strategies that align with my skills and goals. If you’re looking to make money coming in without the stress of unpredictability, start with one of these five approaches. Test them, adapt them, and watch as your financial life becomes as engaging and rewarding as a well-played game. After all, the goal isn’t just to survive; it’s to thrive, with a steady rhythm that lets you enjoy the journey.