Last Updated: July 28, 2025
Hey there! In the spirit of being as transparent about my blog as I am about my DIY fumbles, here’s the deal with affiliate links and how I make money from this site.
The Honest Truth About Affiliate Marketing
I participate in affiliate marketing programs, which means I earn a small commission when you purchase products through certain links on this site. This doesn’t cost you anything extra—you pay the same price whether you use my link or not.
Why I do this: Running a blog costs money (hosting, tools, my time), and these commissions help keep Fixes & Fumbles free for you to read. Plus, it lets me keep testing new tools and sharing what actually works.
Current and Future Affiliate Partners
I currently participate in or plan to join these affiliate programs:
Amazon Associates Program
I’m an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases when you click my Amazon links. Amazon has a wide selection of the tools and materials I actually use in my projects.
Home Improvement Retailers
- Home Depot – For building materials, tools, and home improvement supplies
- Lowe’s – Similar to Home Depot, covers tools and materials I recommend
- Other home improvement retailers – As I discover quality partners that serve my readers well
Tool and Product Manufacturers
I may partner with specific tool brands, product manufacturers, or service providers that align with my budget-conscious, DIY-focused approach.
My Promise to You
I only recommend what I actually use. If I link to a product, it’s because:
- I own it and have tested it on real projects
- I believe it will genuinely help you with your DIY work
- I would recommend it to a friend or family member
All opinions are my own. Whether I earn a commission or not doesn’t change my honest assessment of any product or service. If something doesn’t work well, I’ll tell you about that too—including my fumbles with it.
No inflated prices. I don’t have any control over product pricing, and affiliate links don’t make products more expensive for you.
How I Mark Affiliate Content
Post-level disclosure: Every post containing affiliate links includes a clear statement near the beginning explaining that the post contains affiliate links and how they work.
Natural integration: I weave product recommendations into my tutorials and stories where they naturally fit, rather than creating awkward product placement.
Honest reviews: When I review products, I share both the good and the frustrating parts of my experience with them.
What This Means for You
Your shopping experience doesn’t change. You can:
- Click through my links if you want to support the blog
- Shop elsewhere if you prefer
- Use my product recommendations as a starting point for your own research
You’re supporting authentic content. When you use my affiliate links, you’re helping me:
- Keep the blog ad-free (for now)
- Test more tools and techniques
- Create detailed, honest tutorials
- Share both successes and failures
Future Monetization
As Fixes & Fumbles grows, I may add:
- Google AdSense or similar advertising
- Sponsored content (always clearly labeled)
- Digital products like detailed guides or checklists
- Email newsletter with exclusive tips and deals
I’ll always be transparent about any new ways I monetize the site and update this disclosure accordingly.
Questions About Affiliate Links?
If you ever have questions about:
- Whether a specific link is an affiliate link
- Why I recommend a particular product
- My experience with any tool or material
- This disclosure policy
Just reach out through my contact form. I’m happy to share more details about my actual experience with any product I mention.
Legal Compliance
This disclosure is designed to comply with:
- FTC Guidelines for affiliate marketing and endorsements
- Amazon Associates Operating Agreement
- Other affiliate program requirements
I take these legal requirements seriously because I want to build trust with my readers and maintain the integrity of the DIY community.
The Bottom Line
I’m just a regular homeowner sharing what I’ve learned through trial and error (mostly error). When I recommend tools or materials, it’s because they’ve genuinely helped me tackle projects in our 1980s house.
My goal is to help you make informed decisions about your own DIY projects while being completely transparent about how this blog operates financially.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for supporting Fixes & Fumbles!
This affiliate disclosure complies with the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines for affiliate marketing. I am required by law to disclose any paid relationships or affiliate partnerships.