Is it even possible to make money anymore?

Nexon just made the game too dependent on NX.

Depends on how you look at it. Nothing has been done to the game that force you to use NX, if you do not compete with others that is. If you do, then of course it's gonna cost you in time, effort and/or money. I will agree the difference between a spender and a freeloader is a bit to big now though, much cheaper cubes would be welcome.