So, the FTC requires that I tell you how and when I receive any compensation for this blog. I find that a little bit hilarious (but just a little bit) because other than my parents, I’m not sure anyone is ever going to read this page.  Especially now that (I think) we got rid of those nasty old soap trolls.  (Thank God.)

Suffice it to say that I won’t be getting rich off this blog any time soon, but I do receive a little commission here and there that I use to try to cover the cost of running the blog.  Right now, costs usually include hosting and domain fees, but in the future could include blog design or compensation for any helpers I may bring on board.  Someday, if enough people use my affiliate links, it may even include my time, meaning that I would actually be getting paid for being so silly.  For now, I don’t make enough to run out and incorporate, but I do make enough that the FTC says I have to tell you about it.

Some questions you may (but probably don’t) have:

Does the possibility of earning a buck influence my opinion of products and services?

NO.  If I promote something, I will tell you my true opinion about it.  Occasionally, that opinion may be, “I’ve never really used this, so I don’t have an opinion.”  Once in a while, it may even be, “I personally didn’t care for this, but you may enjoy it.”  There are times that a service or product isn’t too awesome for a mom who has five kids and goes to law school, but may be just dandy for someone else.  That is why I will sometimes offer promotions that I won’t personally take advantage of, but that I think may work for others.  But if I just flat out tell you something is awesome, that’s because it is actually awesome.  Not because I get a 4% commission (or whatever the commission may be).  I’m not going to lose my readers over $0.63.  I just don’t see the benefit in that.  I also encourage you to tell me about your experiences with services or products I promote.  You know, the whole help-me-help-you thing.

Do I get cool free stuff?

Occasionally.  Sometimes the cool free stuff is used for giveaways (remember the Pinkalicious Party Pack?).  If I keep them and promote them, I will say something like, “Look at this awesome thing I got for free from [insert name of company who sent me awesome thing]!”  If I tell you about something awesome and DON’T tell you that I got it free from a sponsoring company, well, that’s because I didn’t.

Do I get paid to review products?

I have done two paid product reviews in the past.  I don’t do very many.  If and when I do paid product reviews, I will definitely let you know that I have been paid for doing the review.  But just because I get paid for doing the review, doesn’t mean I will always give a positive review.  You can trust that my reviews are my honest opinion whether or not I’m getting paid.  If I’m talking up some really cool product, and you don’t find the words “paid product review” anywhere in the post, that’s because I really just like the product and I think you will, too.  Further, it means I am NOT being compensated for telling you how cool the product is.  This applies to any other sponsored content, as well.  Basically, the rule is that if I’m being compensated for any click, print, or purchase that results from that post, I will let you know.  If I’ve already been compensated, I’ll let you know.  If there is any money stuff going on, I’ll let you know.

Do I participate in affiliate marketing?

Why, yes, I sure do.  All those coupon widgets you see in the blog sidebar?  Those are affiliate links.  Those great Amazon deals?  Yes, those are affiliate links.  Deals of the Day?  Almost always completely full of affiliate links.  However, I don’t go around linking to nonsense just because they are affiliates.  If I tell you that I used a coupon and I give you the printable link, I really did use that coupon. If I tell you something is a great deal on Amazon and post the link, I really do think it’s a great deal.  There are thousands of products on Amazon that I don’t link to, right?  So, if I do, it’s because you should look at it, not because I just wanted to fill up with affiliate links.  But, again, I will state in the post that it has affiliate links.  If you print coupons, sign up for services, or make purchases through the affiliate links, I will receive a commission.