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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective date: August 9, 2025
Website: SmartMoneySave.com (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Site”)
Contact: contact@smartmoneysave.com

SmartMoneySave.com respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to this Policy.

1) Information We Collect

a) Information you provide directly

  • Email & name when you subscribe to our newsletter, download resources, or contact us.
  • Comments you leave on posts (name, email, IP address and browser user agent may be collected to help spam detection).
  • Contact form messages and any information you include.

b) Information collected automatically

  • Log data (IP address, browser type, referring/exit pages, date/time stamps).
  • Cookies & similar technologies (see “Cookies” below).
  • Analytics data (aggregated traffic, pages viewed, session duration).

c) Information from third parties

  • Email service providers (newsletter status and engagement).
  • Advertising partners (ad performance and limited pseudonymous identifiers).
  • Affiliate networks (to attribute referrals/purchases when you click affiliate links).

2) How We Use Your Information

We use personal and usage data to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve the Site and its content.
  • Send newsletters, updates, promotional materials, and respond to inquiries.
  • Analyze performance (traffic, engagement), and optimize content/UX.
  • Prevent spam/fraud, secure the Site, and comply with legal obligations.
  • Personalize and measure advertising where applicable.

3) Cookies & Similar Technologies

What are cookies? Small data files stored on your device that help the Site function and remember preferences.

Cookie categories we use

  • Strictly necessary: Required for WordPress/core functionality (e.g., login, security).
  • Preferences: Remember settings like comment details (e.g., comment_author, comment_author_email, comment_author_url).
  • Analytics: Measure traffic and user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics/GA4).
  • Advertising: Serve and measure ads and limit repeats (e.g., Google AdSense).
  • Affiliate: Track outbound merchant clicks for commission attribution.

Your choices:
You can manage cookies via your browser settings (block, delete, or receive alerts). Note: disabling cookies may affect site functionality. If we show a cookie banner, you can update your consent there at any time.

4) Comments, Media & Embedded Content

  • Comments: When visitors leave comments, WordPress collects data shown in the comment form, IP address, and browser user agent to help spam detection (e.g., via anti-spam services such as Akismet). An anonymized string made from your email may be sent to avatar services (e.g., Gravatar) to display a profile image.
  • Media: If you upload images, avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS).
  • Embedded content: Articles may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube, X/Twitter, Instagram). Embedded content behaves like you visited those sites directly and may collect data per their privacy policies.

5) Analytics

We may use Google Analytics (GA4) or similar tools to understand how visitors use the Site (pages viewed, time on site, geography at a general level). Analytics data is aggregated and pseudonymous. You can opt out of Google Analytics by using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

6) Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure

  • Advertising (e.g., Google AdSense/Ezoic): We may display ads that use cookies to personalize content and measure performance. Google and partners may use cookies to serve personalized ads; you can manage ad personalization at adssettings.google.com.
  • Affiliate links: Some links are affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate networks use cookies/IDs to attribute referrals as described in their policies.

7) Email Marketing & Newsletters

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address (and optionally name). We send educational content, updates, promotions, and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in each email or by contacting us at contact@smartmoneysave.com.

Email delivery and analytics (e.g., open/click rates) may be processed by our email service provider (e.g., MailerLite/MailPoet/ConvertKit—update with your provider). We only send emails in line with your consent or legitimate interests under applicable law.

8) Legal Bases (EEA/UK Visitors)

If you are in the EEA/UK, our legal bases for processing include:

  • Consent (e.g., newsletters, non-essential cookies, personalized ads).
  • Legitimate interests (e.g., site security, analytics improvements).
  • Contract (providing requested services/resources).
  • Legal obligations (record-keeping, compliance).

You may withdraw consent at any time where applicable.

9) Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

  • Access, correct, or delete personal data.
  • Object to or restrict certain processing.
  • Port data to another service.
  • Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent).
  • Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.

To exercise rights, email contact@smartmoneysave.com. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

10) CCPA/CPRA (California Residents)

California residents have the right to:

  • Know the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.
  • Request deletion of personal information (subject to exceptions).
  • Opt-out of “sale” or “sharing” of personal information (as defined by law).
  • Non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights.

We do not sell personal information for money. Some advertising or analytics activities may be considered “sharing” under CPRA. To exercise rights or submit an opt-out request, contact contact@smartmoneysave.com. If we implement a “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link, it will be available in the Site footer.

11) Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to provide services, fulfill the purposes in this Policy, resolve disputes, and comply with legal requirements.

  • Comments & contact messages: retained indefinitely (or as needed) for moderation and records.
  • Analytics data: retained per provider defaults (e.g., 14–26 months, unless otherwise configured).
  • Email subscriber data: retained while you remain subscribed or until you request deletion.
  • Server logs/security logs: typically retained for a limited period (e.g., 30–180 days) for security/troubleshooting.

12) Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure; use the Site at your own risk.

13) International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses) for international transfers.

14) Children’s Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13 (or the age defined by local law). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact contact@smartmoneysave.com and we will take appropriate action.

15) Third-Party Websites & Services

Our Site may link to third-party sites (advertisers, affiliates, tools). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing personal information.

16) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted here with a new “Effective date.” Material changes may be highlighted on the Site or via email where required.

17) How to Contact Us

For questions, privacy requests, or complaints, contact:
Email: contact@smartmoneysave.com
Website: SmartMoneySave.com