I paid $100 for the site from Anthony.

I purchased a skin for $400 (It was $300 but other people wanted it, so I decided to raise the stakes and buy it).

I spent $40 advertising on YoungCoders.

I spent $35-50 advertising on TutorialMan.com

I spent $140 advertising on webdesignhelp.co.uk.

I spent $1,200 advertising in .Net magazine for 3 months.

I have spent over $200 on graphics for Talkfreelance, banners, headers etc.

I have spent over $300 on upgrades/hacks, image uploading...tutorials script etc.

That is my total investment so far!

Since it launched i've made around $3,000-4,000 back through advertisements, so i'm probably $2,000 in profit at the moment.

It got popular not from the advertising I put in, but because Talkfreelance a) Had a kickass original skin that many forums now try and copy b) It mixed business with design and formed it's own niche c) I work long days, I spend hours posting and advertising, I work harder than any other admin on any forum...fact.