Making money from fiat is the way to make bitcoin or ethereum, if you work hard, and find part-time job in ethereum community, you will earn ETH.
I mine the ETH directly.
Mining ETH is a good way to earn ETH, but there are too many huge miners mine ETH too, small miners can hardly earn ETH. Chinese whale miners are a lot.
But it's better rather than tryin to buy your ether. with building your mining rig you can generate ether coin anytime. With the guarantee you can sell your mining rig again. It's very good way in my mind.