"But I must watch my pennies in cost outlay as it will take years to get the return, if ever."
I agree! $0.59 per month? So lets say the going rate for a photographer is $25 to $75 an hour. And lets say it took you one day to take the shots, process them and upload them. Maybe longer. That means you'll have been paid the 'going rate' for that day in about 50 years time.
I'm not knocking you, some images sell better than others and some sites sell better than others, that's just the way it is... just wanted to put it into context!
Have you tried Shutterstock, you should make a lot more purely becauase there's more sales/traffic overall. I wouldn't be surprised if you're hitting the payout every six months there. I think it;s only $"5 or $35 there anyway.