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Personal Finance Blog Niche Makes $68,440 Per Month
Most bloggers never publicly share how much money their websites make.
That’s why income reports like this one are so valuable. They provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at how successful content websites attract traffic, monetize visitors, and build sustainable online businesses.
In this Personal Finance Blog Niche report, we’re breaking down Making Sense of Cents, one of the most successful websites in the personal finance and make-money-online space. According to the site’s public June 2016 income report, the blog generated $68,440.23 in a single month, with more than $52,000 coming from affiliate marketing alone.
The Personal Finance Blog Niche has long been considered one of the most profitable content categories online thanks to its combination of evergreen topics, high-paying affiliate programs, and strong advertiser demand. Making Sense of Cents is a prime example of how a well-positioned site can turn valuable content into a highly profitable business.
In this report, we’ll analyze the site’s business model, revenue streams, affiliate programs, traffic sources, keyword opportunities, and the exact strategies that helped transform a simple personal finance blog into a six-figure online business.
Site Snapshot
| Metric | Details |
| Website | Making Sense of Cents |
| Founder | Michelle Schroeder-Gardner |
| Primary Niche | Personal Finance |
| Secondary Niches | Blogging, Side Hustles, Make Money Online, Investing |
| Monthly Pageviews | ~425,000 |
| Main Traffic Sources | Pinterest, SEO, Email Marketing |
| Primary Revenue Source | Affiliate Marketing |
Making Sense of Cents began as a personal finance blog focused on saving money, paying off debt, and improving financial habits. Over time, the site expanded into blogging tutorials, side hustles, affiliate marketing, and online business content.
This evolution allowed the site to tap into some of the highest-paying affiliate programs available.
One of the reasons the Personal Finance Blog Niche performs so well is the availability of multiple monetization methods, including affiliate marketing, sponsorships, display advertising, and digital products.
Revenue Breakdown
According to Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s public June 2016 income report, Making Sense of Cents generated approximately $68,440.23 before expenses.
Monthly Revenue Breakdown
| Revenue Source | Revenue | Percentage |
| Affiliate Marketing | $52,280.23 | 76.40% |
| Sponsorships & Advertising | $14,400.00 | 21.00% |
| Display Advertising | $1,760.00 | 2.60% |
| Total Revenue | $68,440.23 | 100% |
One of the most important observations is that display advertising accounted for only a small percentage of total revenue. The overwhelming majority came from affiliate commissions.
This highlights a key lesson for niche site builders: high-income blogs are often built around affiliate marketing rather than ad revenue alone.
How This Site Actually Makes Money
Many people assume a finance blog earns money simply by publishing articles and displaying ads.
The real business model is much more strategic.
Step 1: Publish Helpful Content
The site creates content around topics such as:
- Making money online
- Side hustles
- Blogging
- Saving money
- Budgeting
- Investing
Step 2: Build Trust
Michelle frequently shared personal stories, financial updates, and income reports.
This transparency helped establish credibility and build a loyal audience.
Step 3: Capture Email Subscribers
The site promoted a free “How To Start A Blog” email course.
According to the income report, the course had attracted more than 2,000 subscribers.
Step 4: Recommend Relevant Products
Once readers trusted the site, they were introduced to products and services related to their goals.
Step 5: Earn Affiliate Commissions
The site earns commissions whenever readers purchase products through affiliate links.
Traffic Breakdown
Pinterest Traffic
| Metric | Value |
| Monthly Pageviews | ~425,000 |
| Pinterest Clicks | ~150,000 |
| Email Course Subscribers | 2,000+ |
| Main Traffic Channels | Pinterest, SEO, Email |
Pinterest played a major role in the site’s growth.
According to the June 2016 income report, Pinterest generated approximately 150,000 clicks during the reporting period.
The platform was particularly effective for distributing content related to:
- Side hustles
- Blogging
- Personal finance
- Online income
SEO Traffic
The site also benefited from organic search traffic by targeting long-tail keywords with strong user intent.
Instead of chasing broad finance terms, the content focused on practical solutions and actionable advice.
Top Affiliate Programs Driving Revenue
According to Michelle Schroeder-Gardner’s June 2016 Blog Income Report, affiliate marketing generated $52,280.23 of the site’s $68,440.23 total monthly income.
Source: https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2016/07/june-2016-blog-income-report.html
Affiliate Program Breakdown
| Offer / Program | Amount Reported | Purpose |
| Bluehost | $36,270.00 | Web hosting for new bloggers |
| Survey Companies | $11,714.75 | Side hustle and extra income offers |
| Motif Investing | $1,104.00 | Investment platform |
| Ebates (Rakuten) | ~$1,000.00 | Cashback shopping platform |
| Izea / SponsoredTweets | $480.33 | Sponsored content marketplace |
| Credible | $450.00 | Financial product comparison |
| $5 Meal Plan | $209.40 | Budget meal planning service |
| Digit | $155.00 | Automated savings app |
| Amazon FBA Course | $110.50 | E-commerce training |
| Beautiful Dawn Designs | $93.25 | Blogging resources |
| Building A Framework | $90.00 | Blogging education product |
| Miscellaneous Affiliates | $568.00 | Various smaller affiliate offers |
Total Affiliate Income: $52,280.23
The standout affiliate program was Bluehost. At $36,270 in monthly commissions, Bluehost accounted for nearly 70% of all affiliate revenue reported during the month.
Why Bluehost Generated So Much Revenue
Bluehost wasn’t successful by accident. It was perfectly aligned with the site’s audience. Many visitors arrived looking for ways to make money online or start a side hustle. Eventually, they encountered content explaining how to launch a blog. Starting a blog requires web hosting. Bluehost became the natural recommendation.
Supporting Content
- How to Start a Blog
- How to Start a WordPress Blog
- How to Make Money Blogging
- Blogging Income Reports
- Blogging for Beginners
This created a highly effective affiliate funnel.
Readers discovered the opportunity, learned the process, and were presented with a relevant solution.
Content Categories Driving Revenue
Almost every article on the site falls into a category that supports monetization.
Make Money Online Content
Examples include:
- Ways to Make Extra Money
- Side Hustle Ideas
- Passive Income Ideas
- Online Business Guides
These articles support survey offers, courses, and blogging-related affiliate programs.
Blogging Content
Examples include:
- How to Start a Blog
- Blogging Tips
- Affiliate Marketing Guides
- Blogging Income Reports
These articles directly support Bluehost and blogging-related offers.
Saving Money Content
Examples include:
- Budgeting Tips
- Cashback Programs
- Coupon Strategies
- Frugal Living Advice
These articles support cashback and financial affiliate offers.
Investing Content
Examples include:
- Beginner Investing Guides
- Wealth Building Strategies
- Retirement Planning
These naturally align with investment-related affiliate programs.
The success of this Personal Finance Blog Niche site is heavily tied to its keyword strategy. Rather than targeting broad financial terms, the site focused on long-tail keywords with strong commercial intent.
Keyword Opportunities
One of the reasons Making Sense of Cents monetized so effectively is its focus on keywords with strong commercial intent.
Blogging Keywords
- how to start a blog
- how to start a wordpress blog
- how to make money blogging
- blogging income report
- affiliate marketing for bloggers
Side Hustle Keywords
- side hustle ideas
- ways to make extra money
- passive income ideas
- work from home jobs
- online jobs for beginners
Survey Keywords
- best survey sites
- get paid to take surveys
- paid online surveys
- survey junkie review
- survey sites that pay cash
Personal Finance Keywords
- budgeting tips
- how to save money
- debt payoff strategies
- student loan payoff
- personal finance advice
These keywords attract readers actively searching for solutions, making them ideal for affiliate monetization.
The Secret Behind the Business Model
The real genius of Making Sense of Cents wasn’t the personal finance niche itself.
It was the funnel.
The process looked like this:
- Curiosity: Readers discover income reports and success stories.
- Education: They consume tutorials about blogging, side hustles, and personal finance.
- Trust: They build confidence in the recommendations.
- Action: They purchase products that help them achieve similar results.
Monetization
The site earns affiliate commissions. This system allowed the blog to monetize traffic at a much higher level than a traditional ad-supported website.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates why the Personal Finance Blog Niche continues to be one of the most lucrative opportunities for content creators and affiliate marketers. By combining helpful content, strategic keyword targeting, and highly relevant affiliate offers, websites in the Personal Finance Blog Niche can generate substantial monthly revenue.
The biggest lesson from this niche report is that traffic alone doesn’t create income.The most successful websites understand their audience, create content that solves problems, and recommend products that naturally fit the reader’s needs.
For anyone interested in the personal finance, blogging, or make-money-online niches, Making Sense of Cents remains one of the best examples of how a content-driven website can evolve into a highly profitable online business.
Mattress Niche Breakdown
Top Mattress Affiliate Programs (2025)
| Brand | Commission Rate | Cookie Duration | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffy | Up to 20% per sale | 30 days | High commission rate; suitable for luxury and lifestyle content creators. |
| Nectar Sleep | Up to $150 per sale | 180 days | Generous commissions; extensive trial period and warranty. |
| DreamCloud | $150 per mattress, 12% on accessories | 30 days | High flat-rate commissions; luxury hybrid mattresses. |
| Bear Mattress | $75 to $100 per sale (ShareASale), 15% (Skimlinks) | 120 days | Focus on athletic recovery; multiple affiliate platforms. |
| Layla Sleep | 5% to 15% based on performance | 120 days | Performance-based tiers; flippable mattresses with dual firmness. |
| PlushBeds | 15% per sale | 90 days | Organic latex mattresses; eco-friendly focus. |
| Amerisleep | 5% base rate, performance bonuses | 90 days | Plant-based memory foam; eco-conscious production. |
| Avocado | 5% per sale | 15 days | Certified organic and sustainable materials. |
| Helix Sleep | 5% to 10% per sale | 90 days | Personalized mattress recommendations; caters to various sleep preferences. |
| Zoma | 5% per sale | 90 days | Designed for athletes; emphasis on recovery and performance. |
| Tempur-Pedic | 1.6% per sale | 30 days | Renowned brand; premium memory foam mattresses. |
| Casper | 1.6% to 3.2% per sale | 30 days | Popular direct-to-consumer brand; innovative sleep products. |
| Mattress Firm | 4% per sale | 30 days | Large retailer; wide selection of brands and products. |
Mattress Affiliate Programs With CPA Payouts
| Brand | CPA Payout | Cookie Duration | Network / Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamCloud | $150 per mattress sale | 30 days | Impact Radius | High flat-rate commission; luxury hybrid mattresses. |
| Nolah | $105 to $200 per sale (tiered) | 180 days | ShareASale | Performance-based tiers; additional bonuses for early sales. |
| Bear Mattress | $75 to $100 per mattress sale | 120 days | ShareASale | Focus on athletic recovery; also offers 15% commission via Skimlinks. |
| Amerisleep | 5% base; up to 22% CPA with bonuses | 90 days | ShareASale | Eco-conscious production; performance-based bonuses available. |
| Sealy | 1.5% per sale | Not specified | Adpump | Trusted brand; available through the Adpump network. |
| SweetNight | 8% to 15% per sale; up to 30% for VIPs | Not specified | AffiliateProgramDB | Offers double commissions on the first sale within 30 days. |
25 Sample Sites In The Mattress Niche
| # | Target | DR | Total Keywords | Total Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | sleepfoundation.org | 90 | 646,572 | 3,025,319 |
| 2 | sleepopolis.com | 74 | 199,634 | 492,159 |
| 3 | sleepadvisor.org | 76 | 99,183 | 46,356 |
| 4 | mattressclarity.com | 69 | 91,316 | 85,643 |
| 5 | mattressunderground.com | 37 | 64,196 | 68,454 |
| 6 | naplab.com | 52 | 48,128 | 87,332 |
| 7 | goodbed.com | 41 | 44,601 | 29,531 |
| 8 | mattressnerd.com | 59 | 38,690 | 12,593 |
| 9 | sleepjunkie.com | 69 | 38,414 | 30,494 |
| 10 | slumbersearch.com | 57 | 24,884 | 9,936 |
| 11 | sleepline.com | 44 | 22,749 | 9,326 |
| 12 | sleepscore.com | 67 | 18,865 | 24,374 |
| 13 | tuck.com | 74 | 18,056 | 620 |
| 14 | thesleepjudge.com | 69 | 17,736 | 5,763 |
| 15 | sleepiverse.com | 21 | 14,108 | 7,281 |
| 16 | oursleepguide.com | 45 | 8,597 | 1,391 |
| 17 | sleeplikethedead.com | 52 | 3,351 | 4,038 |
| 18 | choosemattress.com | 29 | 212 | 0 |
| 19 | sleepsherpa.com | 51 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | pillowinsider.com | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | thebedroomcritic.com | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | restorativebed.com | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | mattressreviews.org | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | mattresslucid.com | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | mysleepyferret.com | 27 | 0 | 0 |
100 Low Competition Keywords In The Mattress Niche
| Keyword | Country | Volume | KD (Difficulty) |
|---|---|---|---|
| fluffco pillows | US | 42,000 | 0 |
| nectar vs dreamcloud | US | 3,200 | 2 |
| dreamcloud vs nectar | US | 3,500 | 2 |
| best mattress for murphy bed | US | 1,200 | 1 |
| novaform mattress | US | 9,100 | 3 |
| bed fleas | US | 2,600 | 5 |
| fluffy co pillows | US | 6,100 | 2 |
| viscose vs rayon | US | 1,500 | 0 |
| fiberglass free mattress | US | 3,500 | 5 |
| rayon vs viscose | US | 800 | 1 |
| dreamcloud mattress near me | US | 3,200 | 0 |
| best mattress for guest room | US | 500 | 0 |
| novaform mattress review | US | 2,800 | 4 |
| sex bed | IN | 5,300 | 2 |
| ghostbed vs casper | US | 200 | 1 |
| casper vs ghostbed | US | 200 | 2 |
| bamboo mattresses reviews | US | 600 | 1 |
| bamboo mattress reviews | US | 600 | 3 |
| how to wash bamboo sheets | US | 700 | 0 |
| puffy vs nectar | US | 450 | 0 |
| murphy bed mattress | US | 3,300 | 1 |
| twin xl mattress | US | 23,000 | 5 |
| nectar vs casper | US | 1,300 | 2 |
| fleas in bed | US | 1,700 | 5 |
| siena mattress review | US | 1,800 | 2 |
| mattress on floor | US | 1,600 | 4 |
| saatva vs dreamcloud | US | 350 | 2 |
| fluffco pillow | US | 2,000 | 3 |
| saatva lineal | US | 1,100 | 4 |
| thuma bed review | US | 2,900 | 4 |
| fluffco pillow review | US | 1,300 | 0 |
| bamboo pillow reviews | US | 300 | 2 |
| casper wave vs casper | US | 200 | 1 |
| casper vs nectar | US | 1,100 | 3 |
| are polyester sheets good | US | 300 | 0 |
| endy vs douglas | CA | 500 | 1 |
| nectar vs helix | US | 300 | 0 |
| best mattress for teenager | US | 300 | 1 |
| novaform mattress | CA | 1,300 | 4 |
| best guest room mattress | US | 300 | 1 |
| dreamcloud vs saatva | US | 250 | 2 |
| best extra firm mattress | US | 1,500 | 2 |
| puffy vs puffy lux | US | 300 | 3 |
| fluffco zen pillow | US | 12,000 | 1 |
| why do pillows turn yellow | US | 3,000 | 3 |
| thuma bed frame review | US | 3,000 | 4 |
| american made mattress | US | 250 | 5 |
| memory foam toxic symptoms | US | 250 | 3 |
| thin mattress | US | 1,200 | 3 |
| mattress pad vs topper | US | 2,000 | 4 |
| helix midnight vs midnight luxe | US | 200 | 1 |
| sutera pillow | US | 10,000 | 1 |
| j pillow | US | 700 | 0 |
| big fig mattress reviews | US | 2,500 | 1 |
| stearns and foster lux estate | US | 2,900 | 1 |
| twin vs full | US | 8,200 | 1 |
| sweetnight mattress reviews | US | 200 | 0 |
| mattresses without fiberglass | US | 1,000 | 2 |
| american made mattresses | US | 200 | 2 |
| puffy mattress topper | US | 1,000 | 1 |
| nectar vs puffy | US | 150 | 0 |
| purple cloud pillow | US | 600 | 1 |
| mattress made in usa | US | 500 | 5 |
| dreamcloud premier vs premier rest | US | 200 | 1 |
| nectar vs tempurpedic | US | 800 | 0 |
| mattress that doesn’t sag | US | 150 | 1 |
| best mattress for platform bed | US | 900 | 3 |
| are polyester sheets hot | US | 250 | 0 |
| where do lizards sleep | US | 200 | 0 |
| dreamcloud vs dreamcloud premier | US | 200 | 2 |
| mattress on the floor | US | 700 | 2 |
| posturepedic vs tempurpedic | US | 150 | 1 |
| nectar or dreamcloud | US | 200 | 2 |
| saatva vs nectar | US | 200 | 0 |
| nectar vs purple | US | 1,900 | 5 |
| mattresses made in usa | US | 450 | 4 |
| best heated mattress pad | US | 1,000 | 5 |
| puffy vs | US | 150 | 1 |
| how to make mattress firmer | US | 1,000 | 0 |
| nectar classic vs premier | US | 400 | 0 |
| extra firm mattress | CA | 900 | 2 |
| sweetnight review | US | 150 | 0 |
| bed for sex | IN | 400 | 1 |
| best mattress that won’t sag | US | 150 | 0 |
| fleas in bed | AU | 250 | 3 |
| best low profile mattress | US | 150 | 1 |
| best mattress made in usa | US | 150 | 1 |
| nectar mattress vs dreamcloud | US | 150 | 2 |
| dreamcloud or nectar | US | 150 | 3 |
| amore mattress reviews | US | 150 | 1 |
| siena mattress | US | 3,600 | 2 |
| luxome sheets | US | 1,900 | 1 |
| dream cloud store near me | US | 800 | 0 |
| puffy lux vs purple | US | 150 | 0 |
| puffy vs dreamcloud | US | 150 | 0 |
| zinus cooling gel memory foam mattress review | US | 150 | 2 |
| difference between rayon and viscose | US | 150 | 0 |
| my green mattress reviews | US | 400 | 4 |
| mattresses that don’t sag | US | 100 | 5 |
| purple vs nectar | US | 900 | 3 |
Secret Backdoor Mortgage Niche
First The Big Niche
Monetization Strategies
- Paid ads
- Direct loan offer
- Courses
Traffic Methods
- SEO
- YouTube
- Social
- Press release
Key Metrics
PPC / Flip Evaluation
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. CPC | $20.00 |
| Estimated EPC | $12.72 |
Cost Per Click (Related Keywords)
| Keyword | CPC |
|---|---|
| DSCR loan | $20.00 |
| Mortgage loan | $11.03 |
| Refinance | $8.74 |
Star Ratings
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affiliate Offer Quality | ★★★☆☆ |
| Direct Path to Profit | ★★★★★ |
| List Building Potential | ★★★★★ |
| Own Product Creation Viability | ★★★★★ |
| Expansion Opportunities | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Personal Interest / Passion | ★★★★★ |
Overall Evaluation
Key Strengths
- ✔ High profit potential
- ✔ Easy to enter
- ✔ Low competition
- ✔ Quick path to revenue
- ✔ Strong list building potential
- ✔ Excellent product creation opportunities
- ✔ High personal interest
DSCR Loan Affiliate Programs
| Offer | Payout | Geo | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Bro – best finance loan affiliate Short term loans, Long term loans, Mortgage credit |
$96.70 | Global | MyLead |
| Reverse Mortgage | Pay Per Call | 120 Sec Mortgage, Pay Per Call |
$60.00 | US | DOPPCALL |
| Mortgage Refinance | Inbounds | 60 sec Finance, Pay Per Call |
$44.00 | US | MarketCall |
| 2025FreeScores – US (Email Only) Finance / Mortgage |
$36.75 | US | Triad Media |
| New American Funding – Mortgage Lender Financial, Mortgage |
$33.00 | n/a | MaxBounty |
Paid Ads & Mailing Lists
More Traffic & Profit Angles
- SEO traffic
- Non SEO traffic
- Domain names
- Creative ways to profit with AI
