Why not code for others? Or create services people like?
If i would live in a country that is not Switzerland i could easily live from one Website i have and the Adsense income on there. The website is simple and needs barely maintaince, but i managed to make something, that already exists in several variations, so simple and that people started to use it.
Sounds simple, but in reality it isn't.
You need a big portfolio and a very good reputation before people actually hire you to do some coding, unless you charge <$5/hour ... The bottom side of the market is full of people from india, china, students making beer money,... The top side of the market is full of big-portfolio, big reputation coders. It's pretty hard to make a living if you live in a country where you need at least $15-$20/hour to make ends meet.
You speak the truth. Computer coding is a competitive industry and it really depends on the talent you have and how good you are at coding. On this forum I have found you are paid not much more than introductory programmers and it really is only a great way to start your career as a coder. The best jobs are highly competition.