I'll use the rss feeds, hosted flv files, banners if they aren't horrid, but I make my own when I need one a certain size and they haven't one available.

Occasionally I've used the page-peel ads but can't say I see much in sales from them, I'm not a big fan of the pic or movie of the day stuff so rarely use those. I do link over to the free sites and affiliate coded blog links if I remember to toss them onto a hub site or put them in my blogroll.

I'll also select using a hosted gallery over making my own. Pics I get for the blogs only if there isn't an rss feed, or if there is a select set that fits a niche I need to fill. (Like using Buzz West to get some military content for instance).