So I took about a 2 year break from NL and decided to pick it up again. I reset my game and started up a new town from scratch and I forgot how hard it is to get bells to pay off these ridiculous loans and town projects. I remembered that the Island method of catching beetles was the best way to make money when the game first came out so I started doing that again. I hate it. It's so tedious and boring quite frankly. Is there any other ways to make money like the Island? Or am I going to have to just suck it up and catch beetles for the rest of my life so I can get my mansion?

Also, I'm currently looking for full sets of Modern, Striped, and Regal furniture. If anyone has any of these and wants to help me out it would be greatly appreciated! I don't have much to offer but I can offer anything that you might want, as long as I have it. I'm also on the lookout for a golden axe and watering can, if anyone has any extras of those.

I have a few pieces of the modern and striped series if that helps maybe perfect fruit (except oranges which is my native fruit) or if you have any sleek or minimalist set pieces.

Yes the island is the best place.  No risk losing bells.
You started your town at a good time.  Check premium for bugs/fish.  During the summer island bugs/fish can go for double.
The goliath beetle that most pass for more expensive bugs can be worth a lot of bells if it's premium.
Think it's 12K at premium.

Setting your town on wealthy for the first couple of weeks or a month will help with more bells.  It also give you an extra premium item outside retail.

Try finding a player that has high price turnips when your game is on Sunday.  Some players are not on the real date.  You can buy and sell on the same day with no risk.

I can get some perfect pears from my friends town. And thanks for all the advice stitchmaker!

Good luck with your new town!
They gave you really great tips here
I have most of the regal set (not sure if it's complete since I just came back from my break too).
I was going to sell it at Re-tail because I want to change my house around and replace it with another set, I customized it purple back then, if you don't mind this I'll be happy to pass it on to you

That would be awesome Shiizuku!

Granted this one might take a few days and such, but did you know that you can actually redeem your MEOW coupons for Bells?

I'm the type of player who uses an amiibo everyday so i end up with an excess amount of Meow Coupons (since you can only buy 3 things a day) because wisp giving you 5 free coupons

You can actually exchange them at the post office for a decent chunk of bells.

On my days off I do a bunch of tours and stock up on the fruits and then save them for when they sell for extra at retail. I was able to pay off 2 upgrades in one day by doing this. Island gets messy with all fruits stored but it is worth it

I can't think of a better way to make quick bells than the island. I can almost always make about 400k per trip. If you find it boring (which i do too) try watching videos, tv, or a movie as background noise.