As much as I agree with you that a lot of what's posted online is fluff, I also agree with the rest that no one is here to spoon feed you. You said you tried lots of techniques, but you didn't specify what didn't work for you exactly or how you ended up in square zero again.
The thing is, we all fail from time to time, but what distinguishes a successful person from a usual fellow, is his determination to work, to stand up and try again. In regards to IM, if you have been browsing forums for so long, you are a gem full of useful information. If you apply some critical thinking and creativity, you can devise your own technique that will work specifically for you. Because if a method works for one person, it won't necessarily work for his neighbor.
And last, if you have no money to invest at all, then you'll need to invest lots more time and effort into it. Quick methods won't work for you. I might as well suggest starting a blog, creating content, doing SEO services (you should know a lot about it by now), or SMM... create your portfolio and work for/with others, or create a brand and start building your reputation online.
No one will ever tell you Exactly what to do. With Every method you will still have to take the blueprint and adjust it for yourself. I hope it help and good luck!
P.S. The thing that separates great entrepreneurs and inventors from the rest of the crowd, is when they can't find what works for them, they Create it (then share it with the rest) and don't beg others to show them the way to Eden.