I just started a personal finance blog and had trouble deciding on a host because it seemed like all of the reviews or endorsements of Dreamhost were positive but included the promotion code in the post. It made it difficult to tell how much their review was influenced by the referral fee.

I ended up going with Dreamhost anyway. What tipped the scale was Nick’s review (without a referral code) on his blog Punny Money at http://www.punny.org/money/bloggin-on-up-part-2-hello-new-host/

If I had known about Flexo’s code at the time, I would have used it since Nick doesn’t have one.

Let’s face it: almost all PF bloggers are in it for the money. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I think money can be made without losing credibility. Clearly stating conflicts (as you’ve now done) is, in my mind, the best way to do that.

I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about making money – this is one heck of a site, and it’s helped me out a great deal.

Affiliate links are pretty common on the personal finance blogosphere, and by no means am I a big offender. There’s a disclaimer on every page on this website that describes my advertising and affiliate policy.

If you want a better promotion code, use FLEXO97, in which you get $97 off and I get $0.

If you like my site and appreciate what I write, use the code FLEXO50 which is a $48.50 discount and I receive $48.50.

Or use the FLEXO20 code above.

Don’t you think people should know that you get $77 per referral (Dreamhost’s $97 – your $20 discount)? I don’t think it would make them any less likely to use the referral, but then you’re not hiding anything. Same thing with Sharebuilder.

Obviously, you have advertising to support the cost of the site, plus pay you for your work and writing – that’s not a problem at all. I just think you’d do well to keep that side separated from the writing.