Last week I was browsing my own site and I wondered what it was like to be a stranger on my blog. Specifically when it came to my disclosure on what my affiliate link money gets applied to. I’ve always been interested in reading blog posts where people talk about their blog income, what they do with it, investments, etc. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and care about money but also am nosy and like knowing how people spend their money.
As I was browsing, trying to be a stranger on my own blog, I thought of some questions that I might have. Does it really go to her college repayments? Does she just say that so that you will click on her links? The absolute answer is this: every single cent of a click that I get paid for goes to my student loans.
Truthfully I make very little money through this blog. It’s rare that I make more than a few dollars a week and I’m perfectly content with that.
When I first started blogging, and it remains the case, I never wanted it to be about money. I never do. I never want to compromise the things that I believe in and shill some item I know is a complete waste. I take it really seriously any time someone clicks on an affiliate link of mine. I know that you don’t have to. It’s a really big honor that anyone even does.
What I wanted to really do with this post is disclose what it is that I do when you chose to support me. So thank you to those of you who have. I love all of you for letting me talk about something so personal and almost taboo. I know that you all love me and I’ve appreciated your support more than you will ever know.
twentysomethingsimple
I love your honestly. I feel like there isn't enough of that in the blogging world, especially pertaining to money because it can be such a touchy subject. Cheers to you and paying off those student loans!
xo Kimi
Keit
Click all the links!!!! I'm serious, I'll be clicking all the links now! 😀 I made money from my blog just once and it was weird! I told everyone, cause they were all "Blogging is stupid", so I told them I have moneyz now, so go to hell! 😀 I bought The Witcher Collector's edition with them 😀 Not very smart, but I would never have bought it if it wasn't for the bloggy, so I'm happy ^_^
Love the laid back outfit here ^_^
Rachelle Pinksole
not doing it for money is the best, but I do hope you get rewarded for all your hard work. Love this laid back look.
xo
PinkSole
Laura B
Affiliate links are also an easier way to find similar items. I go through Shopstyle and it's easier than just using a general internet search. With the time put into adding the links, it definitely isn't worth it in the long run so I don't understand why people have a problem with them! I appreciate it when bloggers have them so I can help them out for all the time and effort they put into their blogs!
Elegance and Mommyhood
You always look lovely in a hat. The gingham shirt and shoes are fantastic. I always love what you wear so I click on several of your links. Plus I love you as a person so I want to support you. I hope you do as well.
I am about to click on the links for the shirt, shoes, hat and necklace right now. I WANT all of those in my closet THIS VERY MINUTE. =D
Happy Monday Gorgeous!
Elegance and Mommyhood
I meant to say earrings, tassel earrings. =D
skyscrapers + palm trees
Your honesty is inspiring. I'm so glad I've been able to help you *at least a little bit* pay back your student loans! While I myself don't have any student loans, a lot of my friends do and I can only imagine how daunting it may be. Keep on doing you, girl.
That said, your outfit is fantastic. I always love a classic black & white pairing. And those shoes!!! Love, love, love!
-jen
skyscrapers & palm trees
Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
Seriously loving those shoes! And what blogger doesn't want to make a bit of extra cash from their site?
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
Karly @ Miss in the Midwest
You're the best. Your honesty and transparency is so refreshing in the blogging realm and real life. Good for you, girl!
Closet Fashionista
So true! I'm the same way (except I do spend my blog money on clothes, ha ha) Lately money has been an issue for me, stupid tax season – freelance makes that HORRIBLE. So for the next few months I'm going to have to be really careful.
And yep, my blog doesn't make me much either, but I do it for the fun! 🙂
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Garaytreasures
Thank you for being honest, and it is awesome to see that you have lovely supporters (via your comments). I love your posts and wish you luck as you make alittle mulah and pay back loans. Cute outfit! I love the shoes, bag and gingham. Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
Darcy
I think it is a great way to spend your blog income! I am putting mine towards vacations with Tyler. I think it is just a fun little bit of extra income that should go towards something important to you!
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Kylie Mavrakis
Love this neutral look! And my blog income will be going towards the same thing! So. Much.
Student. Debt.
xo Kylie
http://www.dressinsparkles.com
Charnele Michel
Love this black and white look!
Cha Cha The Fashion Genius
Sarah Lagen
I love your honesty girlfriend!! I clicked on all your links (and will keep doing that!) but using this money towards paying off loan's is so smart! Keep it up !
Breenah A
Love this outfit (I'm usually not a fan of black jeans) and your honesty. And I'm pretty sure that paying off student loans is a much better plan of what to do with blogging money than just getting more "stuff".
Breenah A
Love this outfit (I'm usually not a fan of black jeans) and your honesty. And I'm pretty sure that paying off student loans is a much better plan of what to do with blogging money than just getting more "stuff".
The Real Arnolds
Cool post and good to know. I agree, I don't make a ton of money either. I actually think that is good because it allows my blog to stay the fin thing that is started as with the added bonus of a little extra money. Love the gingham!
Amy Ann
The Real Arnolds
ana
Cool post. I really love your honesty – that's really rare in the whole blogger community. Keep up the good work xx
http://bblluusshh.blogspot.com
Rachel Dinh
Thank you for sharing and being honest.
http://www.racheldinh.com
Kelsey Bang
I love your hat! such a cute look!
kelseybang.com
KP
You look so lovely in hats lady! Killing it!
Eleventh & Sixteenth
Because Shanna Said So
Thank you for being so candid and sincere!! I love clicking on your links to see where all your cute pieces are from!! 🙂 That's one of the fun parts about reading blogs…finding fun items and online shopping!! Ha!
Head to Toe Chic
Love your honesty and love that you're using your blogging money for something so important!! You look amazing in that hat!
xo,
Angela
Carly
It's always interesting to hear how much money people make off their blogs and what they do with it. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the loans
Dresses & Denim
Stylin' In St. Louis
What a great way to spend your blog money. I usually spend it on more clothes and my goal this year is to not waste it and actually invest it into something more useful.
xo,
Jacqueline
stylininstlouis.com
Jenna Colgrove
Loving the patterned play!
Jenna from Visions of Vogue
Caroline @ Tasteful Style
Great post! The blogs I enjoy most are the ones that are NOT about making money and are just true expressions of creativity. So thanks for keeping it real!
E
What a great monochrome look! I especially like the earrings!
Wishes & Reality
I look forward to your posts so much and not just for your style (which you have in spades) but for your honesty and authenticity. Keep it up girlie! I can't wait to see all that's in store for you:)
Heidi
http://www.wishesandreality.com
Shira
Those shoes are adorable. And student loans will be the death of me… although right now I'm on an income based repayment plan where I pay pretty much nothing because I make so little! Oh the life of a social worker…
http://asequinloveaffair.com
Jackie
Another great look AND honest post.
I'm in the same boat, making pennies a click through my blog. I don't plan to make it "about the money," but I've invested a lot of time and money into my blog, so anything I get back just goes into it again.
That said, I'm trying to figure out how to add ads to my sidebar and can't for the life of me figure it out! LOL
Jackie
Something About That
Nikki
So adorable! Love this black and white look.
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Jeans and a Teacup
That's awesome that you are using that money to pay off your loans! My husband would definitely be happy if I did the same thing! Although, the money I make off my blog (which is not a lot either) goes towards blogging things like editing software and ads so I feel like it's not totally frivolous.
Love your black and white shoes btw!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Bree Aylwin
I will be clicking on your links happily knowing it is going to a good goal! another lovely look!
rockthatfrock.com
I'm all about using what you already have! Good luck with paying back the loans.
Doused In Pink
I think it's great you are using any commissions to pay back student loans! I'm loving this black and white look! Those shoes are adorable!
Jill
Doused In Pink
awhite
You gotta do it for the right reasons- and the personal satisfaction you get from blogging + the community you're part of is key. A little extra cash is nice, and you're putting it toward a very worthy cause.
That espadrille flats are soooo cute, btw. Love 'em!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Jessica
I really wish that more people talked about blog income and what they do with it. Honestly, mine goes toward travel and, uh, more clothes. (Sheepishly hides…) I won't be blogging forever, so I may as well have fun with it while it lasts, even if those student loans are still waiting in the wings. (Side note, Dave's parents paid for his college education. I'm so jealous that he doesn't have that extra payment a month!)
http://bedknobsandbaubles.com/
Shannon Jenkins
Loving this cool laid back look! Love your honesty too! Any bit helps!!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
LyddieGal
That's great that you put this money towards your college loans. The little money I make on my blog more often than not goes towards sartorial purchases, just fueling the fire with my 'free' money. Of course the bigger truth to that is the amount of time I spend adding affiliate links to my posts takes a lot of time and if I really thought about and calculated the payback, I probably wouldn't even think it was worth it to bother. But I still do it. You never know when things might take off, right?
http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com
Alyssa
Ugh student loans. Those devils will be the death of me! And I'm totally nosy, too, when it comes to what people do with their blogging income 😀 You put yours towards such a good cause…good for you!
Bogi RedReticule
Loving your cool, casual look and your "full disclosure"! Go Girl!
Red Reticule | Three Faces of a Woman
Olivia Monopoli
I totally get you-I've been thinking about starting to make money from my blog but I honestly don't know where to start. Just because it would be nice to have a few extra dollars for college too! But like you, I don't want to compromise my substance or anything. Monetization is tricky business! Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Olivia | Her Name Was Celebration
Pat
You swing your bag, just like I do, only you definitely look better doing it. Love that outfit sexy girl. <3 you
Gold Coast Girl
Love the honesty of this post and your shirt is pretty cute too so I clicked on it 😉
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Sara Strauss {Sincerely, Sara}
Thanks for being honest! I know exactly what you're going through! Pretty much everything I make goes towards paying off my student loans and it's not fun. I don't make very much money on my blog either. Some months nothing, other months $10, and good months I get $30.
P.S. — Love your shoes!
~Sara
ANDYSTYLE
You look great 🙂
Cute
http://sbr-fashion-fashion.blogspot.com/
Katie C
Love your honesty, sincerity, and check top! (:
Best wishes & hoorah on overcoming your student-debt!!
– Katie
http://www.sketchbookcloset.com
Beautygirl 24
That's great alissa! I'm actually happy to click on a link where I know the blogger is going something meaningful with their blog income than not. I personally don't make much money at all from my blog. I do use rstyle links, but I average about 100 dollars every couple months. Not exactly a way to live, definitely not enough to quit my day job. I still consider it a hobby, not a job. I use what little money I do make and give it to my hubby or put it in our travel account. Hey, hli force him to take silly outfit pics so may as well pay him if I can 🙂
Beautygirl 24
^^^^ Sorry for the misspelled words! I'm on my phone. Damn chubby fingers 😉 I think you get the general drift.
Wilfried
Honesty is virtue lady. Thanks for the new lesson of life. Wish you the best in your blog and all the rest.
wilfriiiied.blogspot.com
Danielle Wallace
I love that your honest about this! It makes me happy to click on links for bloggers I like anyways 🙂
Lindsay Rutland
I am such a fan girl haha but I seriously love every post! I appreciate your honesty and I totally think that compensation in blogging is necessary… it's so much work and you deserve it!
Rachel
I'm the same way! I have like 80,000 in student loan debt though, so I'm going to need probably 100 blogs just to cover that cost haha!
Elle Sees
i wore the same yesterday, sans awesome hat! the money i make from my blog was supposed to fund my driving trips to see my dad. but student loans sounds good too!