Ain’t free stuff awesome? If it weren’t, why would Oprah’s audiences blow a gasket on national TV every year when she says “Faaaay-vo-rit thiiiiiings!”
But enough about Ms. Winfrey (Sherry’s perma-smiling over here, because Oprah’s her jam). We’re bringing up freebies because we’re making a swag related declaration. Moving forward, we’re just saying no. We’ll still offer up free house stuff to you guys in the form of our weekly giveaways, but we’re not going to accept products or services for our casa at any special “blogger discount” or for free – even if we genuinely love them.
We have absolutely nothing against other bloggers who do (it’s definitely an obvious perk of the job) but especially since we’re both able to do this full time, we’re appreciative of a few other perks (like working from home with our pooch & our girl by our side). This way it makes it easy to recommend an amazing piece of furniture or a great floor refinisher based on the job that person has done or the item they’ve sold – not based on any special arrangement behind the scenes. We don’t want you guys to ever question our motives for blogging about something. And although we’ve always tried to be totally transparent when we’re writing about an item that was gifted (like this faucet & this lawnmower) and only agreed if it was something we really liked (and always tried to snag a second freebie for a reader, like we did with the faucet & the lawnmower), now no one even has to wonder if we’re endorsing something because we truly love it or because it was free.
Why now? Well, over the next few years, our new house will need lots of stuff. But we want to stalk every single thing down ourselves and buy it (or make it) without any other reason than it’s what we love and it’s actually within our price range. And we don’t want a post about how we need a new dining table to be misconstrued by you guys as “fishing for a freebie” (and we don’t want companies to consider it to be an invitation for them to offer something up in exchange for a post about it). Besides, being constrained by a real budget is when we come up with our most creative ideas.
And although we’re happy to pass on the free stuff from now on, we’ll do our best to pass it onto you guys whenever we can. A lot of our weekly giveaways already come from that technique, so we’ll continue to give away stuff that we think you’ll love. Our little declaration definitely means we’ll be hunting down discounts, sales, and even free stuff on craigslist like it’s our job (oddly enough, it kind of is). As long as it’s a deal that each of you could score too, we’re game (special blogger discounts & freebies are out, but deal hunting in the clearance section & haggling at garage sales are definitely still in).
Oh and this is probably a good time to remind you guys that things in the new home will be happening on a real timeline. No same day 10K makeovers a la HGTV. So we hope you’ll bear with us as we save our pennies and take on Operation New House one project at a time (remember our current house took 4.5 years to get to where it is today!).
Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job.
Jenny says
Total respect for your decision. Lucky (and hard-working) you to be in a place where that decision is even an issue. I’m looking forward to reading in real-time about your adventures in the new house. Good luck with the move.
Mary @ stylefyles says
Good for you guys! This is why I’ll always continue to read.
I definitely don’t have anything against blogs that take free samples and push products, but I don’t understand the existence of blogs that live for that sole purpose….and for the life of me, I can’t understand why people would want to read (although I guess it’s like informercials, right?).
Still, it’s nice to have a sample-free zone like your blog where I don’t have to wonder / guess / interpret whether something is truly a good product or just an endorsement (though for the record, I thought any past posts you two did were handled really well). Also, part of what makes your blog so magical is that you create fantastic, beautiful rooms from scratch / or at affordable price points.
Sooo basically what I’m saying is your decision totally makes sense, and I like that you’re making a decision that allows you to stay true to your roots (like always).
Elizabeth says
I just wanted to say thanks for responding to my decorating question… after I posted it I felt bad when I remembered you are packing and getting ready to move! But eggplant is a color I had not considered, hmmm! Thanks! :)
Happy packing! :)
Amber B. says
I love this decision. Just this morning, I read another blog and was so irritated at the”post” that was basically just an add for a product. It seemed so cheesy.
Charity says
And for this reason, I’ll continue to love YHL.
Respect and hats off, I hope I’d have the same restraint.
Kate says
I love this post! I almost missed it because I thought it was a give-a-way post, and didn’t see the other content. I love that you guys are “real” people…it is totally what keeps me visiting your blog everyday. I’m so so so excited to see what’s going to happen with your new house!!….Almost as excited as seeing the Dexter season finale on Sunday. Are you guys going to get to see it since you’ll be in transit between houses?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes! We’ve figured out how to make sure we can see it (either that night or on the computer the next day). Can’t waaaait!
xo,
s (& j)
The English Organizer says
Thank you so much for mentioning “real time line”. I am a snail when it comes to decor improvements, and it comforts me that others need time too.
kathy says
Although my favorite hobby is watching HGTV makeover shows and browsing through home decorating books and mags, your blog is the most useful because your DIY projects are for those of us who live in the REAL world of small, oddball houses with strange closets or bathrooms or whatever. Your blog has been the most inspiring resource for me as I re-do our house! Thank you! Thank you! I am SO looking forward to “sharing” your new home with you on YHL! Congrats!
Ashley says
I’m so excited about your move! I can’t wait to see how you take on your home one project at a time. That is actually our motto in our home. We have lived in our house two years this Feb. and we still have plenty of bare walls staring us in the face begging for some love. Sometimes I just don’t know where to start, so I can’t wait to follow along with your journey!
Katie says
I can’t add much to what has already been said–thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping it real. There’s nothing I hate more than reading about a project and thinking to myself, “Of course that person could afford this project. They got the product for free!” So, kudos to you on decisions like this that keep make us want to keep coming back. Best wishes on your move and may Christmas blessings abound!
Tanya M. says
I’ll definitely hang around for the long haul. Especially with your positive, responsible attitude about the freebie lure. I truly respect the “real person” way you are choosing to live your life/blog since it could be so very easy to succumb to the fame and money. You guys (including Clara and Burger) are awesome!
Erica says
Good for you guys! Really respect your decision. Appreciate that any recommendations you make will be truly what you believe is the best.
JoDi says
I would be truly disappointed if this house didn’t take YEARS to renovate! I love the fact that you don’t run in and totally overhaul a place instantly. You do it in a totally real and do-able way for regular families on a budget who have jobs and other things going on in life!
Love the way you’re keeping it real by rejecting the freebies. It’s clear that everyone totally respects you for that. I don’t have a problem when bloggers accept things to try out and write about but only if they’re completely upfront about it. Even then, I think it’s hard to walk the line of accepting freebies and still feeling totally free to give something a bad review if it deserves it so I always wonder just a little when someone raves about something Company X sent them to try. I never wonder about your honesty when you recommend something, and you’ve just confirmed why that is!
Rosemary says
John and Sherry are just awesome!!!!!!!! Seriously.. who gives up freebies in exchange for a good quality and genuine blog full of tips and reviews for your readers. Totally appreciated!
Andrea says
I’m moving into a fixer upper as well, excited for all the updates you’ll be doing and following a long with you guys on the way! It seems so intimidating starting out.. eeek!
Shauna says
Thanks for this! I love going to a blog and knowing that I can trust that when you guys recommend something, you really actually love it! I know bloggers always add that disclaimer that they only accept freebies of stuff they would buy anyway, but I don’t always believe that if they’re being paid to review something. So basically thanks for keeping our trust when it has to be hard to say no to free stuff :) I know it would be for me but I totally respect that you guys do!
Amanda@Longroadset says
John and Sherry-
I’ve been following your blog close to a year now. I love you guys. I’m excited that you’re not high rollers and this is going to be in real time. It won’t seem like my house, when we buy one, is so out of date. It’ll be nice to see what you do as we do similar things.
I walked into an open house at a gorgeous three bedroom already made over, and it made me sad. So we are hoping for a small little 3 bedroom near a park. It’s beyond old. It’s livable but in need of some love. :) Glad we’ll be on the same page even if a few months or years apart.
Clara says
A good and wise decision – which only further reinforces why I love to read your blog!
Barbara says
Just when I thought I couldn’t adore you guys any more than I already do. This post was fabulous, John! The fact that you are approaching your new digs with such pure excitement and honesty is fantastic. You and Sherry are the cutest, most ethical, upbeat couple, and it is a JOY to come here each day. Even moreso now as you embark on your new house adventure – I actually came in at the tail end of your life in house #1, so I’m crazy excited that I can come along for the ride from the beginning this time.
Bottom line? Coming to this blog each day is like a tiny little DIY spa vacation for me, a drama-free zone where I get the warm fuzzies from an adorable family of “strangers” that I trust and admire more each day. Thank you SO much for all of this!
*more hugs, and more tissues for Sherry – and possibly for John who I think just might shed a tear or two, especially when he sees Sherry getting weepy*
Kristen Dalton says
You guys are awesome!
I’ve got to admit though, I never got the “endorsement” feel from any of your giveaways. I always saw them as a product or service you genuinely enjoyed. However, I was always intimidated by the freebies, and the several thousand entries they received (so I never really entered any of them). It’ll be nice to see the focus strictly on things the average reader can score for themselves for a great deal!
drew says
Have recently discovered your site. Do you ever go to estate auctions? Amazing bargains to be found. Saw an Ethan Allen kitchen table and 6 chairs go for $75.00 at one a couple of weeks ago.
YoungHouseLove says
We haven’t been to an estate auction yet but it sounds like a lot of fun! We’ll have to try one out one of these days…
xo,
s
Barbara says
Max respect to you and your idea of business!
Not only I find your blog really interesting, but I appreciate you and you “transparency”.
I would really like to meet more people like you in real life. As for now I feel so lucky because I virtually met you one year and half ago.
Nothing new to your ears I know, but I just wanted to let you know that even in Italy there’s someone who appreciates more-than-honest people (because even taking freebies from company and openly writing about it is honest IMO).
Keep on giving us “the good example”! :))
Jasiri says
Definitely more into the journey than the destination!! I LOVE being able to get into other people’s crafty minds to see how they would put something together! Don’t worry about us, just enjoy the process of making your new home yours!
Congratulations on the new house!
Lesley says
Awesome!
I am hoping you will keep the “we’re digging” section? I love that it doesn’t always relate to home items. It has directed me to Baby-led weaning, among other things…
You guys rock! Have fun with the move :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah- that’ll stay since it’s a fun way for us to quickly share stuff we love on the sidebar. No worries! And of course our sidebar sponsors stay because they make this whole blogging thing possible!
xo,
s
Lacey says
Hi Sherry & John,
I want to say I tremendously respect you for this decision, and it definitely means something to me as a reader of your blog. I come here for DIY ideas because I feel like my husband and I are not much different from you guys, and so if you can do these things (not being professionally trained) then we can too. Part of that is your creative solutions to make items fit in the budget and part of that is your creative deal hunting. If I thought you only got a great deal on something because of your blog, I might feel like there was no way for me to recreate what you’ve done. So, as much as I think you guys deserve the free stuff and I wish you could take it, I appreciate as your reader (and a total copy cat of yours!) that you’re declining the freebies. THANKS!
Emily says
Hey, I was wondering if not accepting freebies extended to the true value blog squad also?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Emily,
Good question! We definitely wouldn’t accept swag or payment from any company in exchange for a post about it (or a number of posts about it) here on YHL – no matter who they are. But we’re still open to teaming up with companies in other capacities, like how we write for BabyCenter over on their site and for BHG’s Do It Yourself magazine , which are fun little side gigs that don’t feel like we’re pushing products. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
itsallgoode says
I just found your blog, while searching for some solutions to my “our new family room is huge, but sectionals are soo expensive” predicament. (Thanks for the Big Carl tip!) I really like your point of view, and I think your no schwag/truth in recommendations policy is admirable. You’ve just won a new fan. Good luck with the new house.
Anna says
Hey but didn’t you accept Claras crib mattress after this post? Not hating just wondering :)
YoungHouseLove says
Nope. We got the crib mattress a few months before Clara was born (Jan 2010 to be exact – https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/02/nursery-progress-crib-notes/) so it was actually several months before we made the “no more freebies” declaration.
-John
Naomi says
As a reader, I love that you made this stand. As a small Etsy shop owner, I wonder if you have any tips to get my business out there in an honest way. I’m struggling with the idea of self promotion vs. waiting for people to find the site themselves.
YoungHouseLove says
I can imagine how hard it is to walk that line! Maybe try running promos and telling people about those? Everyone loves a deal, so when you slightly discount something and then comment or email people to tell them it might not come off as “salesy” as just telling them about your shop. Oh and doing giveaways or freebees (on your site/shop or on other people’s blogs) might help spread the word! And Pinterest! Maybe get a friend to pin something they love from your shop and see if it spreads that way? Good luck!
xo,
s
Stacey says
I clicked over here via today’s sponsor round-up and I wanted to say thank you for this. I agree that bloggers shouldn’t turn down freebies necessarily. But I really appreciate that you guys do. I’ve always thought that your model of home improvement was the easiest to follow and that’s cemented by realizing that you’re doing it all on your own dime, just like the rest of us. Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Stacey! Thanks for the kind words!
xo,
s
Lisa says
Good looks, talent and MF (moral fiber)? You must have had some champion parents! This ethical blogging is marvelous.
Andrea says
I’m so sorry but my dirty mind didn’t exactly read it as “Sherry’s perm(a)-… d’aaw
*goes hiding under her desk*
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Molly says
Hey dudefriends, I was just pondering things and thinking about how much I like/admire/respect your blog and that one of the primary reasons for that is the very thing you discuss in this post. I am so UNinspired by sponsored posts, but it seems they are definitely the way all blogs are going. Just wondering if you’re rethinking your stance on them. I def wouldn’t be mad atcha. Just curious.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Molly! We are SO HAPPY with our choice. It keeps things nice and simple, and you guys know we’re only gushing about something because we truly love it. Haven’t looked back once :)
xo
s
Molly says
Awesome. Thanks for doing what you do so well. This land of internet weblogs is a weird, wild place full of possibility and uncharted territory, and you guys are pioneers! Sure, sponsored posts are practically a de facto part of having a blog now, but you’re proving it doesn’t have to be so! Maybe there’s a better way – oh wait, there is, and you’re doing it!! It makes your blog so much more enjoyable, and what you do and say so much more credible. It will be interesting and exciting to see how things evolve over the next several years here and on other blogs too. Cheers!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Molly!
xo
s