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Cookie Policy

Last updated: August 10, 2025
Website: SmartMoneySave.com (“SmartMoneySave”, “we”, “our”, “us”)

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar technologies are, how we use them on SmartMoneySave.com, and the choices you have. For more information about how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

1) What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device to remember information about you. They help websites work properly, measure performance, and personalize content. Related technologies include local storage, pixels, tags, and SDKs—collectively referred to in this policy as “cookies.”

2) How we use cookies

We use cookies to:

  • Operate the site (load pages, keep you logged in if applicable, prevent abuse).
  • Remember preferences (like saved comment details).
  • Measure performance (analytics about visits, pages, and engagement).
  • Show advertising (including personalized or contextual ads, depending on your consent).
  • Attribute affiliate links (so merchants can recognize referrals from our content).

3) Types of cookies we set

A. Strictly Necessary (cannot be switched off)

Required for the site to function.
Examples (WordPress):

  • wordpress_logged_in_* – keeps logged-in users authenticated (authors/editors).
  • wp-settings-*, wp-settings-time-* – stores admin interface preferences.
  • Security/anti-spam cookies set by plugins to detect abuse.
    Duration: session to 1 year, depending on cookie.

B. Preferences (functional)

Remember choices such as your comment details.
Examples (WordPress comments):

  • comment_author_*, comment_author_email_*, comment_author_url_* – saves your details for next time.
    Duration: up to 1 year.

C. Analytics (performance)

Help us understand how visitors use the site (aggregated data).
Examples (Google Analytics/GA4):

  • _ga, _ga_*, _gid – distinguish users/sessions.
    Typical durations: _ga and _ga_* up to 2 years; _gid 24 hours.
    Analytics operate according to your consent and our Privacy Policy.

D. Advertising (personalization/measurement)

Used to deliver, cap, and measure ads; may personalize ads based on your consent and settings.
Examples (Google Ads/AdSense/DoubleClick):

  • __gads, __gpi, IDE (doubleclick.net), ANID, NID.
    Durations: vary by provider (e.g., up to 13 months in some regions).
    If you opt out of personalized ads, you may still see ads—just not personalized.

E. Affiliate & Outbound Link Tracking

When you click an affiliate link, the destination merchant or network may set cookies to attribute a sale to our site. This does not add extra cost to you.
Duration: varies by network (often days to weeks).

Note: Specific cookie names and durations may change over time as providers update their services.

4) Consent and your choices

Depending on your location, non-essential cookies (analytics, advertising, affiliate) may only be set with your consent.

  • Cookie banner / CMP: On your first visit, you may see a banner to accept, reject, or manage categories. You can update choices anytime via [Cookie Settings] (add or link this in your footer/CMP).
  • Browser controls: You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Doing so may affect site functionality.
  • Google ad personalization: Manage at adssettings.google.com and visit aboutads.info/choices (US) or youronlinechoices.eu (EU) for interest-based ads choices.
  • Do Not Track: DNT is not consistently honored industry-wide; use the options above for reliable control.

5) Third-party cookies & embedded content

Pages may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube videos, X/Twitter, Instagram). Embedded content behaves as if you visited those sites directly; they may set their own cookies. Please review their cookie/privacy policies for details.

6) WordPress-specific notes

  • When you leave a comment, WordPress can store your name, email, and website in cookies so you don’t need to re-enter them next time.
  • If you log in (authors/editors), WordPress sets additional authentication and preference cookies.
  • Security/anti-spam tools may use IP/user-agent data and set necessary cookies to protect the site.

7) Google Analytics (GA4)

If enabled and permitted by your consent, GA4 uses first-party cookies to generate aggregated statistics (e.g., sessions, pages, approximate geography). We configured GA to avoid collecting sensitive categories. You can opt-out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or your Cookie Settings on this site.

8) Advertising & AdSense

If we display ads (e.g., Google AdSense), cookies may be used to deliver and measure ads, and—if you consent—to personalize them. Google is a third-party vendor; it may use cookies and identifiers under its own policies. You can manage ad personalization in our Cookie Settings, your Google Ads settings, or through regional opt-out tools listed above.

9) California privacy (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have the right to opt out of certain “sharing” or “sale” of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Where applicable, use our [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information] link (place in your footer/CMP) or email contact@smartmoneysave.com.

10) Data retention

Cookie lifetimes vary by type and provider. Analytics data is retained according to our analytics settings and provider defaults. Logs needed for security and troubleshooting are kept for a limited period. For more on retention, see our Privacy Policy.

11) Updates to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices. We will post the updated version here with a new “Last updated” date.

12) Contact us

Questions about this Cookie Policy or your choices?
Email: contact@smartmoneysave.com
Website: SmartMoneySave.com