For the things I actually use a personal server for, $150/month is overkill. A server that used to handle my family’s email\* and runs my personal Web site runs just fine on my Linode 512. Heck, if they offered a “256” plan with half the capacity for $9.95/month, I’d be tempted to switch to that.
\* I moved to gmail, not because of cost, but because I got tired of managing the spam filter.
\* I moved to gmail, not because of cost, but because I got tired of managing the spam filter.