Is Affiliate Marketing Still Worth It in 2026? My Personal Journey

I know I keep saying I’m done with affiliate marketing, but after 11 years in the industry, the reality is starting to sink in. Sometimes, it really is just like that—you reach a point where the passion for content creation is overshadowed by the exhaustion of the "hustle."

I’ve been on this journey for over a decade, and while I desperately want to start a new chapter and turn a new leaf, I’ll admit I’m nervous. I’m afraid of the unknown, and honestly, I’m not even sure where to start.

I am so tired of that constant feeling that I’m not doing enough. I’m pushing to get every product promoted, but the conversion rates and sales just aren't there. It feels like I’m constantly "grinding," but I have nothing to show for it.

The market is more saturated than ever. Everyone and their grandmother is doing affiliate link promotion now, and trying to keep up is draining. We’re all making the same points about why someone needs a product, but when everyone is saying the same thing, the message gets lost.

I’ve poured my time and energy into this, only to realize I’m exhausting myself for pennies in commission. When your earnings range from a few cents to a dollar, it’s no longer a sustainable passive income stream—it’s just burnout.

I’m ready for a new journey where I’m not wasting my time for pocket change. Even if I’m nervous, I’m turning that leaf today.

If you are interested in shopping here are my links. Click here!

Easter 2026 | OUR NEW TRADITIONS, OUR FAMILY. THE BEST IS YET TO COME

 Easter 2026 was off big time. Due to the weather we ended up having it Saturday since we were not sure of the weather but anyways. No one said anything. 

We asked multiple times what we were doing for Easter and no one said a word. All we got was we don't know yet we aren't sure. 

So we grilled out since with our family it was over 16 people including us. 

We had everything perfect. The food got done at about 1:30, my aunt, uncle and cousin (she was already here since she spent the night) then my aunt messaged her brothers and they also came over and then my aunt in law came over also.

 However the only people that didn't even bother coming over and we told them at 9:30 am that we are having it was my parents.

 My aunt texted my mom to let her know the food was done and see if they were coming the only response we got was a it doesn't look like it since my dad was working on his truck gas lines and gas tank. 

What a let down. My kids were so excited that we were celebrating and wanted to see their mimi and pawpaw as they call it but yet I had to break it to them that they weren't coming. 

And honestly it doesn't even bother me anymore. They never come to see me even when they are 5 minutes down the road. They don't call to check on me. A phone works both ways is what I'm told but I'm the one that got to pick up and call.

 They don't say hey come over or whatever. It's always I got to go to them but when I do they not even home so why waste time even trying. 

There is no point in it. Why go to a place where it's like I'm unwelcomed and unwanted.

Easter is suppose to be about love, and family and celebration but its not when all my father talks about is money that was loan to my aunt and her not paying it back. A vengeance will destroy a family but it is what it is.

All of this eventually does hurt but in the end, there is no point in letting it. I am ready for new traditions. I am ready for new memories. I am not about to let this get in the way. Yeah it hurt growing up having to go to my aunts and uncles just so my mom and dad and grandma and grandpa can go to the beach for their anniversary every year after year and my brother and I not even getting to go but then them coming up that they are going to take me but in the long run, my husband took me before we even got married because I never been. We never had a family trip. 

We never went anywhere together as a family but now as a mother, I am taking my kids out. I am taking them to the beach, to different trips. I am even taking my cousin out also. We have a zoo trip, fishing trip and a few other trips planned for this summer. 

I refuse to try to make others happy. I am finally prioritizing myself and my family and not living for everyone else. I refuse to people please anymore and I am breaking cycles.

Amazon basic Dog treats

 If you are looking for dog treats let me just tell you, my dog and my aunts dogs all love these treats. 

However one of these I believe it is the gravy ones, my aunt has to break them up for her dog because they are a little hard on his  teeth and are a little bigger than the others but other than that we have no issues on them. My dog loves the peanut butter ones and the multiflavored ones. 

What makes it so bad is that my aunt has my dog trained, when she comes over she knows she keeps a handful of treats in her pocket and she begs her for treats not knowing we both are using the same treats now and when she comes over she goes sniffing in her pockets because she knows her treats are there.

These dog treats are cheap for a box and worth it. You get a 5lbs box for under $8 and to me that is a steal. It also helps with their teeth and make their breath smell better unlike other dog treats. These are for all size dogs. 

Get the multiflavor ones here!

Get the peanut butter ones here!

Get the gravy ones here! 

Calorie counting and Working out

 When you are on a calorie deflection diet, it takes more than just cutting back foods. It is actually counting calories and making sure you are reaching the calorie goal everyday. 

You are going to have to measure what you are eating to know how to log it and making sure that it is not going over. Fruits contain a lot of sugar and not as healthy as they say it is let me be frank. 

 I personally use mynet diary ( Use my code: PRVEYV ) to help me throughout the day. It allows me to log my snacks, my breakfast, lunch, dinner along with my exercise, my steps and water. I can also log my weight and there are also recipes that I can use when I run out of ideas to cook and make. 

It also takes being active. Something that gets your heart pumping but not something that gets your legs or body burning. You need to be active but not as active to hurt yourself. So something like mall walker or walking anything for about 15-30 minutes a day. 

I just got a vibration plate, a weighted hula hoop and a stepper to help me with being active and working out. I also got a jump rope, a peddler and I have an app I have found called  Lazy workout and Just fit that I can do from my bed and or couch.

Just fit gives you a workout, one that you can feel and I love it. It has you lined up for daily and you will work pretty much every part of your body just from your bed alone. It is worth checking out and is now my go to. It will get your heart pumping and all it takes is just 7 minutes to do. 

 However I cannot put to much on me because I still am not healed from surgery and so I have to take it slow but even doing a little bit can actually help out a lot. 

Being disciplined means saying no to a lot of things. It means sticking to your diet and goals no matter what is going on around you because at the end of the day, it is going to be you and disappointments trying to reach you're goal so once you set a goal and put your mind to it, you will eventually reach it.

Savoritz Sourdough pita pizza crackers

Let me just say I went to Aldi's looking for their  L'oven Fresh Parmesan Romano Garlic Bread since I am having ziti and salmon and a salad on Good Friday I wanted the bread to go with it but so many others thought of the same thing and they sold out of the bread so I have to go back but that's not the point. 

The point is have you ever walked around a store with your stomach hungry and looking for something to snack on?

 Yeah that was me yesterday and I seen some pizza crackers and I was like oh I want these.

 They are only 130 calories and I can eat 10 and it's perfect so I got them. I got home, brought my groceries in and went to my desk to do some work. I felt my stomach get that growl and I knew I wanted a snack. I pulled them bad boys out and I went to town on them. They were so good. They tasted like pizza and they were seasoned just enough for you to have dust on your fingers like a Doritos. 

These crackers are worth it and I should of got two boxes. I know now and I hope they have some for me when I go back for that garlic bread cause that garlic bread is good too. 

Stepper Workout

 This stepper that I have, I got on it thinking it was going to be easy however, this thing puts my legs to work. I can feel it toning my legs and I love that. I have noticed that even if I do 10 minutes a day it helps out a lot. 

I also notice that I can walk a little further without my back hurting or running out of breath. This stepper allows you to change the resistance and it keeps up with your time and calories and how many steps you have taken. 

It also comes with resistance bands that you can attach to the sides to give your arms a work out. I honestly do not use them though. I curle a 5lbs weight and or use the hand resistant bands. 

Get your stepper here!

Weighted Hula Hoop

 Let me just say I bought myself a weighted hula hoop. The one I got was 60.6in/154cm. ( I weigh about 229 if you need an idea.) 

However when I first started to use it, I realized it was to big and had to take three of the links off so I can fit it. 

Something they do not tell you when you puchase one is you have to put it together. Not only that you have to add rice or sand or gravel to a bag that is sent and you have to put the weighted ball together. 

I actually like this thing because it allows you to work your whole body and core trying to keep the ball up. 

However it can be a challenge trying to get it to go. 

Get your weighted hula hoop here!