Editorial Policy

How we research

We prefer primary sources whenever a page depends on rules, formulas, limits, fees, rates, or regulatory guidance. Common sources include the CFPB, IRS, Federal Reserve, SEC, FDIC, Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, state agencies, lender disclosures, and official program documents.

How we write and review

Pages are written to answer the reader's question directly, show assumptions clearly, and separate general education from personalized advice. Calculator pages explain the formula or method used, and article pages cite visible sources when claims depend on outside facts.

For legal, tax, estate, and similar high-stakes topics, pages include an explicit disclaimer and source list. Content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed financial, legal, or tax professional.

Updates and corrections

We update pages when formulas, government limits, deadlines, source documents, or product facts materially change. If we find an error that could affect a reader's decision, we correct the page and update the visible date when the change is substantive.

Independence

Editorial recommendations should be based on usefulness, clarity, cost, fit, and source-backed facts. Any advertising or affiliate relationship must not change the formulas, source standards, or educational conclusions on a page.