I use Google Adwords make around $350 a month, then I have links to other sites where we swap links, also have a few paid banners, but it really depends on what PR you have as most people who pay for banners want high PR. If your on any forums, make sure that you have your address in your signature, also join some of the Top 100 sites, they are free and also bring in traffic, myspace is always good to have a page there as well as facebook. Also find yourself a person who will go and put your information into search engines, this helps a lot and is a lot cheaper than you doing it, think it cost me around $30 for 1000.
If your going to do Adsense make sure that you read the rules as its easy to get banned and they do it for life. Also join a few webmasters sites as these always have high volume traffic, and if you post, there is a big chance that your site will be seen.
Also do the Pls Reveiw my site, as this gets your name out and also people can tell you how to make your site better.