The Affiliate Model: A Simple Way to Supplement Your Income

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The Affiliate Model: A Simple Way to Supplement Your Income

I’ve been watching a quiet shift happen over the years. More people are realizing that earning only an hourly wage or relying on a single source of income can feel risky—and limiting. That’s where the affiliate model comes in.

At its core, the affiliate model is simple.

If you’ve ever recommended a restaurant, told a friend about a movie you loved, or suggested a product or service that made your life easier—you’ve already done the hardest part. You know how to share what you like.

Affiliate marketing just adds a tracking link and a system behind those recommendations.

Why the Affiliate Model Makes Sense

You don’t need to invent a product.
You don’t need a warehouse or customer support.
You don’t need to be a tech expert.

You simply share things you genuinely believe in—and when someone takes action, you earn a commission.

That’s why I believe anyone can succeed with the affiliate model. If you can talk, write, or type a few sentences about something you enjoy or trust, you’re already qualified.

Where Wealthy Affiliate Fits In

The challenge most people face isn’t what to recommend—it’s knowing how to do it online in a way that actually works.

That’s why I like the Wealthy Affiliate platform.

It provides:

  • Step-by-step training (for beginners)

  • Website and content tools

  • A supportive community of real people doing the same thing

  • A clear path to turning recommendations into income

No hype. No pressure. Just learning how to build something that can supplement your income over time.

This Isn’t About Getting Rich Overnight

For me, this is about simplicity and stability.

A little extra income.
A safety net.
Something you can build at your own pace.

And the best part? You can try it without pulling out your credit card.

Try the FREE Starter Plan

If you’re curious—and only if you’re curious—you can explore the platform yourself with the FREE Starter Plan.

👉 Try it here:
MagicBrad.com/WA

Sometimes the simplest models are the ones that last.


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YouTube and the Academy Awards: A New Stage for the Oscars

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YouTube and the Academy Awards: A New Stage for the Oscars

For decades, the Academy Awards have been synonymous with traditional television broadcasts. Families gathered around the TV, networks controlled the feed, and viewers watched passively. But times have changed.

With YouTube now playing a role in showing Oscars-related content, the experience has expanded beyond the living room TV. Clips, highlights, interviews, red carpet moments, and behind-the-scenes footage are instantly available to a global audience. Viewers no longer have to stay up late or watch the entire broadcast to enjoy the moments that matter most to them.

This shift reflects a bigger trend: audiences want content on demand, in bite-sized pieces, and on platforms they already use. YouTube doesn’t replace the Oscars—it extends them, making Hollywood’s biggest night more accessible, shareable, and relevant in a digital-first world.


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Wealthy Affiliate compared to the University of Minnesota

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Here’s the revised side-by-side comparison between the Wealthy Affiliate Premium Plus annual price and the University of Minnesota annual tuition, based on the latest information available:


💻 Wealthy Affiliate (Premium Plus) Annual Price

Wealthy Affiliate Premium Plus (the highest tier WA membership) normally costs roughly:

  • **About $995 per year when billed annually at the regular discounted yearly rate. Commission Academy

Some unofficial sites report annual pricing as high as ~$995 for Premium Plus when you choose the yearly option instead of monthly billing. Commission Academy

Note: During limited promotions like Black Friday, some affiliates report significantly lower annual pricing (e.g., ~$497), but that’s not the standard full annual price year-round. Thrivers Hub

👉 Typical Premium Plus annual cost: ~$995/year (regular yearly price). Commission Academy


🎓 University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) Annual Tuition & Costs

For the 2025-26 academic year at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities campus:

📌 Tuition & Fees (9-month academic year)

📌 Total Cost of Attendance (includes living expenses)

👉 These figures include tuition + fees + room & board + books + personal expenses as typical annual costs for a full-time undergraduate student. UMN Twin Cities Admissions


📊 Direct Cost Comparison

Item Cost per Year
Wealthy Affiliate Premium Plus annual ~$995/year Commission Academy
UMN Undergraduate Tuition (in-state) ~$18,626/year UMN Twin Cities Admissions
UMN Undergraduate Total Cost (in-state) ~$36,656/year UMN Twin Cities Admissions
UMN Undergraduate Tuition (out-of-state) ~$41,512/year UMN Twin Cities Admissions
UMN Undergraduate Total Cost (out-of-state) ~$61,042/year UMN Twin Cities Admissions

🧠 Key Takeaways

  • 📉 Wealthy Affiliate Premium Plus (~$995/year) is significantly cheaper than attending a traditional four-year public university. Commission Academy

  • 🎓 University of Minnesota tuition alone for in-state students is about $18,626/year, and total costs with living expenses can exceed $36,000/year. UMN Twin Cities Admissions

  • 🌍 For out-of-state students, UMN costs rise to $41,512+ for tuition alone and more than $60,000/year total with room & board. UMN Twin Cities Admissions


💡 Bottom Line

Even at the highest Wealthy Affiliate tier (Premium Plus), the annual price is a tiny fraction of what a student spends on one year of college at the University of Minnesota — whether comparing just tuition or the full cost of attendance.

Get your FREE Starter Plan with Wealthy Affiliate by going to https://MagicBrad.com/WA


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How much is Wealthy Affiliate?

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Wealthy Affiliate’s

Premium Plus membership costs $99 per month or $697 annually, offering extensive features like 30,000 AI credits monthly, 10 websites, over 350 expert classes annually, and advanced tools for building multiple online businesses, significantly more than the standard Premium plan. 

Premium Plus Plan Details
  • Monthly: $99/month
  • Yearly: $697/year (often discounted, check their site for current offers) 
What’s Included (Premium Plus)
  • AI Power: 30,000 AI credits monthly for content creation.
  • Websites: 10 websites to build your businesses.
  • Training: Hundreds of expert classes annually.
  • Support: 24/7 live help and private messaging.
  • Business Tools: Everything from the Starter & Premium plans plus more advanced features like Business Hubs. 

Get Your FREE Starter Plan!

https://MagicBrad.com/WA

 


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Is This Platform Too Complex? Let’s Find Out! #fridley

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Is This Platform Too Complex? Let’s Find Out! #Fridley

If you’ve been looking for a simple way to start earning money online—without the overwhelm—you’re not alone. Many beginners in Fridley, Minnesota (and all around the Twin Cities) wonder if online business platforms are “too complicated” or “too techy.”

So let’s cut through the noise and talk about one of the most popular beginner-friendly systems out there: Wealthy Affiliate… and more specifically, whether it’s easy enough for YOU.

Are Online Business Platforms Really That Hard?

Some platforms bury you in jargon, dashboards, and endless settings. They’re built for tech pros—not everyday entrepreneurs.

But here’s the truth:
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to start earning online. You just need the right system, the right tools, and the right community.

That’s where Wealthy Affiliate comes in.

Why Wealthy Affiliate Works for Beginners

If you’re looking for something that’s:

  • Step-by-step

  • Beginner-friendly

  • Completely risk-free to start

  • Supportive, with real humans helping you…

…then the Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Plan is the perfect place to begin.

Here’s what you get as a FREE Starter Member:

✓ Easy website builder (zero tech skills needed)
✓ Training that walks you through everything
✓ Keyword tools to help you attract traffic
✓ A supportive global community
✓ Real ways to earn affiliate commissions
✓ A safe way to “test the waters” before spending a dime

If you live here in Fridley—or anywhere near Minneapolis or St. Paul—you’ll appreciate how simple and beginner-friendly this platform really is.

Is Wealthy Affiliate Too Complex? No—It’s Designed for Real People.

The layout is clean.
The training is straightforward.
The steps are easy to follow.

If you can browse the web, you can build an online business here. It’s that simple.

Whether you’re:

  • Starting fresh at 40, 50, 60, or beyond

  • Wanting passive income

  • Interested in affiliate marketing

  • Looking for a flexible side-hustle

  • Or ready to finally earn money online…

Wealthy Affiliate gives you an uncomplicated way to begin.

Try It—Risk-Free—Right Here in #Fridley

If you’re sitting in a coffee shop in Fridley, relaxing at home, or anywhere in the Twin Cities… you can launch your first website and start learning in minutes.

No credit card.
No obligation.
Just a clear path forward.

Contact MagicBrad OR Jeremy

👉 Get the FREE Starter Account here: MagicBrad.com/WW

Final Thoughts

Is this platform too complex?
Not at all.
It’s one of the simplest on the internet—and one of the few designed specifically for beginners who want a real chance at online income without confusion.

Start today. Explore. Learn. Build.
Your online business journey begins with one click.

Contact MagicBrad OR Jeremy‼️

👉 Join Wealthy Affiliate FREE today at MagicBrad.com/WW


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Top Pokémon-Like Games (Most Similar Overall)

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Top Pokémon-Like Games (Most Similar Overall)

1. Temtem

  • MMO creature-collection game

  • Very similar battle style to Pokémon

  • Focus on 2-v-2 battles

  • Colorful world with lots of creatures to catch (“Temtem”)

2. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth

  • Turn-based battles

  • Hundreds of Digimon to train and evolve

  • A bit more story-heavy and mature than Pokémon

3. Nexomon & Nexomon: Extinction

  • Extremely close to classic Pokémon style

  • Catch, train, battle, evolve

  • Retro graphics that feel like GBA/DS-era Pokémon

4. Monster Sanctuary

  • Combines monster catching with Metroidvania side-scrolling

  • Skill trees for each monster

  • More strategy-focused combat

5. Coromon

  • Heavy retro Pokémon vibes

  • Similar battle system and monster designs

  • Great if you like Game Boy Advance–style games


🎮 Creature-Collecting Adventure Games

6. Yo-Kai Watch series

  • Collect spirits (Yo-kai)

  • Very popular in Japan

  • Different battle system but same “collect and explore” vibe

7. Dragon Quest Monsters

  • Similar structure to Pokémon

  • Capture and fuse monsters from the Dragon Quest universe

8. Shin Megami Tensei series

  • Darker and more mature

  • You recruit demons instead of catching monsters

  • Fusion system adds depth

9. Monster Hunter Stories 1 & 2

  • Turn-based battles with monsters called “Monsties”

  • Explore a big world with RPG elements


🌍 Open-World / Adventure Creature Games

10. Palworld

  • “Pokémon meets survival crafting”

  • Catch creatures called Pals

  • Build bases, explore, fight bosses

  • Wildly different tone but has strong creature-collection gameplay

11. Ooblets

  • Cute, casual, farming-plus-creature-collecting

  • You grow your creatures from seeds

  • Dance battles instead of fighting


🧪 Indie Games With Pokémon Inspiration

12. Cassette Beasts

  • Monsters recorded on cassette tapes

  • Excellent fusion system

  • Turn-based battles with unique mechanics

13. Monster Crown

  • Darker tone inspired by early Pokémon

  • Breed monsters to create new species

14. World of Final Fantasy

  • Stack monsters (Mirages) in combat

  • Mix of Final Fantasy and Pokémon vibes


🧒 Kid-Friendly Alternatives

15. Slime Rancher

  • Not a battle game

  • But you collect, raise, and manage cute slimes

  • Relaxing and fun

16. Viva Piñata

  • Raise colorful piñata creatures

  • Not Pokémon-like battles, but great collecting and care mechanics


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Pokémon vs Pokemon: Why the Spelling Matters (and Why It Really Doesn’t)

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Pokémon vs Pokemon: Why the Spelling Matters (and Why It Really Doesn’t)

If you’ve spent any time around fans in the Twin Cities—or anywhere on the internet—you’ve probably seen the word written two different ways: Pokémon and Pokemon. So which one is correct? And does it even matter? Let’s dive in.


The Official Spelling: Pokémon

The true, original, official spelling is Pokémon—with the little accent mark over the “e.”
That accent is called an acute accent, and it changes the pronunciation. Without it, many English speakers might read the name as “Poke-uh-mon.” The accent ensures it’s pronounced like Poh-kay-mon.

The name itself is a shortening of Pocket Monsters, originating from Japan as ポケットモンスター (Poketto Monsutā). When the franchise was brought to English-speaking regions, Nintendo and Game Freak added the accent to guide pronunciation.

So yes—Pokémon is technically correct.


The Global Reality: Pokemon

But here’s the twist…

Most people type Pokemon without the accent.

Why?
Because keyboards, search bars, and mobile devices don’t exactly make accents convenient. And the internet is all about convenience.

Even official Pokémon websites frequently accept or use the unaccented Pokemon spelling for SEO, marketing, or simplicity. Search engines treat them the same. Fans treat them the same. Merchandise often includes the accent—but not always.

So while Pokémon is correct… Pokemon is perfectly normal.


Why the Two Spellings Coexist

Here’s the simple breakdown:

Pokémon (accented)

  • Official branding

  • Proper pronunciation

  • Used in logos, games, and TV shows

Pokemon (unaccented)

  • Used online for speed

  • Works better on keyboards

  • Still totally understood

  • Common in URLs, hashtags, memes, and casual conversation

Both versions are accepted, and both belong in the modern Pokémon universe.


Does the Accent Really Matter?

If you’re writing something formal, professional, or brand-focused—use Pokémon.
If you’re texting a friend, making a quick post, or your keyboard doesn’t cooperate—Pokemon is just fine.

The franchise is massive, beloved across generations, and understood worldwide regardless of the tiny line above the “e.”


Final Word: Pokémon or Pokemon?

The answer is simple:

Use whichever helps you catch ’em all.

Whether you’re typing fast with “Pokemon” or keeping it official with “Pokémon,” the meaning—and the magic—are exactly the same.


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You Won’t BELIEVE The Affiliate Programs Out There!

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You Won’t BELIEVE The Affiliate Programs Out There!

If you think affiliate marketing is just Amazon links and coupon sites… buckle up. The world of affiliate programs has absolutely exploded, and some of the opportunities out there are so wild, so lucrative, and so unexpected that most people don’t even know they exist.

Whether you’re a content creator in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota—or just someone looking to earn extra income online—these programs prove that almost any industry can become a passive-income machine.

Let’s dive into a few that will blow your mind…


1. Recurring Commission Gold Mines

Some affiliate programs pay you month after month, long after you made the initial referral. This is where the real magic happens.

Imagine this:
You share a tool—someone signs up—then you get paid every month for as long as they remain a customer.

Programs like:

  • Website hosting companies

  • Email marketing platforms

  • Membership communities

  • CRM tools

  • SaaS automation tools

These programs are the “set it and forget it” income streams every affiliate dreams of.


2. Affiliate Programs for Local Services

Yep… even local businesses in Minneapolis–St. Paul are rolling out affiliate programs.

Think:

  • Home improvement contractors

  • Insurance agents

  • Real estate agents

  • Cleaning and organizing companies

  • Fitness studios and wellness coaches

More and more local businesses are paying referral fees—some even paying hundreds for a single lead.

You don’t need a huge blog. You just need connections and influence in your community.


3. Luxury Travel & Retreat Affiliates

This one surprises people every time.

High-end retreat centers in places like Costa Rica, Portugal, and Norway will pay serious commissions for sending travelers their way. The travel industry loves affiliates because you help fill their calendars.

Some programs pay:

  • 10–30% of the retreat price

  • $300 to $1,000+ per booking

Share a beautiful destination, earn a beautiful commission.


4. Digital Courses & Online Education

From photography to crypto trading to life coaching—there are affiliate programs that pay you for simply sharing knowledge-based platforms.

Education platforms (like Wealthy Affiliate, for example) offer:

  • Training

  • Tools

  • Community

  • Recurring commissions

  • AND cookie durations that last for months

These are perfect for bloggers, coaches, consultants, and influencers.


5. Physical Products with HIGH Ticket Commissions

Some affiliate programs ditch the small payouts and go BIG.
Think:

  • Massage chairs

  • eBikes

  • Home saunas

  • Luxury mattresses

  • High-end kitchen gear

One sale can pay you anywhere from $200 to $1,000+.

These programs aren’t talked about much, but they’re out there—and they’re booming.


So… What’s the Catch?

Honestly? The only catch is awareness. Most people stick to the obvious affiliate programs because they’ve never taken the time to see what’s truly available.

The reality is:
Affiliate marketing is bigger, broader, and more profitable than ever before.

If you’re in Minneapolis or St. Paul and you’re looking to build an income stream from content, livestreaming, networking, or referrals… the world of affiliate programs is wide open.


Ready to Explore the Magic?

There’s a universe of affiliate opportunities out there—and once you start exploring, you’ll realize just how limitless this income channel really is.

Whether you’re promoting SaaS tools, retreats, creative services, or lifestyle gear… one thing is certain:

You won’t believe how many ways there are to make money until you start looking.


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John Chow: The Blogger Who Turned a Personal Blog Into a Massive Online Empire

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John Chow: The Blogger Who Turned a Personal Blog Into a Massive Online Empire

When people talk about the pioneers of making money online, one name consistently rises to the top: John Chow. He’s one of the original internet marketers who proved that an ordinary blog—built from scratch—can become a powerful income-producing machine. If you’re exploring passive income, affiliate marketing, or building a personal brand, John Chow’s story is one worth knowing.


From Hobby Blogger to Million-Dollar Brand

John Chow started blogging simply to share ideas and document his life. There was no master business plan, no initial intention to turn his blog into a revenue giant. But as he continued posting consistently, his insights into online business, traffic generation, and monetization began attracting attention.

Over time, his blog JohnChow.com evolved into one of the most recognizable internet-marketing platforms online. He openly documented how he scaled from earning nothing to making over $40,000 per month through:

  • Affiliate marketing

  • Email marketing

  • Sponsored posts

  • Digital products

  • Advertising

  • Strategic partnerships

His transparent income reports became legendary in the early blogging world, inspiring thousands to follow in his footsteps.


What Makes John Chow Different?

John Chow became influential not just because he made money—plenty of people do that—but because he taught exactly how he did it.

Here are a few core principles he is known for:

1. Build a List — Then Build a Relationship

He’s one of the strongest advocates for email lists, famously saying:
“The real money is in the list.”
For him, the blog is the front door. The email list is the business.

2. Treat Your Blog Like a Business

He reminds beginners that blogging isn’t just writing; it’s marketing, branding, positioning, and system building.
Chow taught that you can’t just post and pray—you need funnels.

3. Consistency Wins

Daily posting, combined with relentless promotion, helped him dominate the early blogosphere.

4. Leverage, Automate, and Scale

John Chow is a fan of creating automated systems that work even while you’re away from the keyboard, turning online income into true lifestyle income.


John Chow’s Legacy in the Online Marketing World

Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a newcomer exploring digital income streams, you’ve likely been influenced by John Chow—directly or indirectly.

He helped popularize concepts such as:

  • Using blogs as authority brands

  • Monetizing through affiliate funnels

  • Turning free value into paid customers

  • Creating lifestyle-based content

  • Mixing authenticity with marketing savvy

Many of today’s top online entrepreneurs cite him as an early influence.


Why His Story Still Matters Today

We live in a world where social platforms come and go, but a blog and an email list remain timeless assets. John Chow proved this long before “influencer marketing” even existed.

His journey is proof that:

  • You don’t need a big company to succeed online

  • You don’t need to be a tech genius

  • You don’t need to chase trends

  • You do need consistency, strategy, and systems

For anyone in the affiliate marketing world—even programs like Wealthy Affiliate, which teaches many of the same principles—John Chow’s roadmap remains foundational.


Final Thoughts

John Chow’s rise from hobby blogger to internationally known online entrepreneur showcases what’s possible when content, consistency, and smart monetization meet. His blog continues to inspire, educate, and challenge digital marketers to think bigger.

Whether you want to build an online business, grow an audience, or create passive income, studying John Chow gives you a masterclass from one of the internet’s earliest and most successful pioneers.


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