Affiliate Disclosure

Transparency is one of my core values. Here is exactly how this site earns money, how I pick the products I recommend, and what it all means for you as a reader.

A Straight-Talk Note from Maria

Before we get into the formal stuff, I want to be upfront with you. I am a grandmother in Charlotte, North Carolina who started this blog because I was frustrated with tech reviews that felt like they were written by robots. I evaluate every gadget through a combination of hands-on testing and deep research into verified consumer experiences — and I am always transparent about which approach I used.

This site does earn money through affiliate commissions, and that income is what allows me to keep buying new products to test and sharing honest opinions with you. But here is the line I will never cross: I will never recommend a product I would not buy for myself or give to my own grandkids. If something is not worth your money, I say so — even if that means losing a commission. You can read more about who I am and how I test products on my About page.

The Amazon Associates Program

Tech in Everyday Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In practical terms, this means many of the product links you see in my reviews are special "affiliate links" that include a tracking tag. When you click one of those links and then buy something on Amazon — whether it is the product I linked to or anything else you add to your cart during that session — I earn a small percentage of the sale as a commission.

The key point: You pay exactly the same price whether you use my link or go to Amazon directly. The commission comes out of Amazon's advertising budget, not your pocket. Using my links is simply a way to say "thanks for the helpful review" at zero cost to you.

How I Choose Which Products to Review

Not every product on Amazon deserves a review. Here is the process I follow before any gadget makes it onto this site:

1

I Spot a Real Need

Every review starts with a genuine question I have had or that a reader has asked me. "What is a good robot vacuum if I do not want to spend $500?" or "Are budget smartwatches actually useful?" If the question feels real and relatable, I start researching.

2

I Research Thoroughly (and Test When I Can)

Some products I buy with my own money and test in my daily life — my robot vacuum runs on my hardwood floors, and my portable power bank goes in my purse when I visit the grandkids. For others, I dig deep into verified consumer reviews, ratings, and real user experiences. Either way, I always tell you which approach I used, and I never review based on spec sheets alone.

3

I Write the Truth

If a product impresses me, I say so and explain exactly why. If it disappoints, I say that too. Several products I have tested never made it into a published review because they were not good enough to recommend. I would rather have a shorter article with fewer products than pad it out with gadgets that are not worth your money.

4

I Focus on Value

My readers are budget-conscious — people who want technology that works without breaking the bank. I specifically seek out products under $50, $100, or $200 because those price points matter to real families. I have no interest in reviewing a $400 gadget when a $35 alternative does 90% of the job.

Editorial Independence — The Non-Negotiable

No Pay-for-Play

No company has ever paid me to write a positive review, and I do not accept free products in exchange for coverage. Whether I purchased a product myself or evaluated it through consumer research, my opinion is always my own and never influenced by brands or sponsors.

Commission Does Not Influence Rankings

Some affiliate sites rank products by which one pays the highest commission. I do not do that. Products are ranked by quality, value, and real-world usefulness — period. Amazon pays the same commission rate on most products in a category anyway, so there is no financial incentive for me to rank one product over another.

Honest Downsides in Every Review

If you read my reviews, you will notice every product has a "what could be better" or "downsides" section. No gadget is perfect, and pretending otherwise would be dishonest. Telling you about a product's weaknesses is just as important as highlighting its strengths.

No Extra Cost to You — Ever

Using my affiliate links costs you nothing extra. The price on Amazon is the same whether you use my link or type the URL yourself. The commission comes from Amazon's marketing budget, not from a markup on the product.

How Affiliate Links Actually Work

If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when you click a product link on this site, here is the step-by-step process:

  1. You click a product link in one of my reviews. The URL contains a small tracking tag (my Amazon Associates ID) that tells Amazon this visit came from my site.
  2. You land on Amazon and can browse, compare, read reviews, and decide for yourself. There is zero pressure from my end.
  3. If you make a purchase within the tracking window, I earn a small commission — typically between 1% and 4% depending on the product category. On a $30 gadget, that might be $0.60 to $1.20.
  4. Your price stays the same. Amazon does not add a surcharge for affiliate-referred purchases. The commission comes from Amazon's advertising budget.

That is the entire process. I never see your personal information, payment details, or what else is in your cart. The only thing I see in my Amazon dashboard is aggregate data — total clicks, total orders, and total commissions.

Where the Revenue Goes

Since I believe in full transparency, here is how affiliate income supports this site:

  • Buying new products to test: This is the biggest expense. Testing five budget smartwatches for a single review means purchasing all five out of pocket.
  • Web hosting and domain costs: Keeping techineverydaylife.com fast, secure, and online 24/7.
  • Time spent researching and writing: Each review takes 15 to 25 hours of hands-on testing, photography, research, and writing.

This is not a venture-backed company — it is a one-person passion project. Every dollar of affiliate revenue goes directly back into creating more helpful content for readers like you.

FTC Compliance

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR Part 255 guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, I disclose that this website may receive compensation for products or services recommended. This disclosure appears both here on this dedicated page and as an inline notice at the top of every blog post containing affiliate links.

Other Affiliate Programs

Currently, Amazon Associates is the only affiliate program I participate in. If I join additional programs in the future, I will update this page and make the same disclosures. The same commitment to honesty, editorial independence, and reader-first recommendations will always apply.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about my affiliate relationships, how I select products, or how I earn revenue, I am happy to answer. Transparency is not just a buzzword here — it is how I operate.

Send Me a Message →

Last updated: March 16, 2026