How We Fact-Check Our Content
Our process for ensuring every number is accurate and every source is verified.
Why This Matters
Personal finance is a YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) topic. Wrong numbers can lead to wrong decisions. A misplaced decimal or an outdated statistic could change how someone plans their finances. We take accuracy seriously -- here is exactly how we verify every piece of content before it reaches you.
Our Verification Process
Every calculator and article on this site goes through a multi-step verification process before publication.
- 1 Source identification -- Every statistic traces to a specific study, government report, or established institution. We don't cite aggregator sites that don't name their primary source. If we can't find the original data, we don't publish the claim.
- 2 Link verification -- We verify every external URL loads correctly and the cited data actually appears on the linked page. Broken links are caught and replaced with current, working sources.
- 3 Math verification -- Every financial projection is independently calculated using our standard assumptions (7% real return, 15% capital gains tax on gains only). We cross-check each figure against the stated formula to catch rounding errors and miscalculations.
- 4 Per-unit consistency -- When an article states both a per-unit cost and an annual total, we verify the multiplication. For example: $5/purchase × 2/week × 52 weeks must equal $520/year. If the arithmetic doesn't hold, we fix it before publishing.
- 5 Cross-reference check -- Statistics cited in articles are compared against what the source actually says. We verify the year, sample size, and exact figure match the original publication.
- 6 Periodic review -- Published content is reviewed periodically. When sources update their data or links break, we update the content and note the revision date in our page metadata.
Our Standard Assumptions
To keep results consistent across all calculators and articles, we use these standard assumptions. Each is stated clearly so you can judge results for yourself.
| Parameter | Value | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Investment return | 7% annual | S&P 500 inflation-adjusted historical average |
| Tax rate | 15% federal | Long-term capital gains, applied to gains only (not contributions) |
| Rounding | Nearest $1,000 | Prefixed with "approximately" to avoid false precision |
| Inflation | Already factored in | Results shown in today's purchasing power (real returns) |
| State taxes | Not included | Vary by state; actual results may differ |
What We Don't Do
Transparency means being honest about our limitations, too. Here is what falls outside our scope:
- We don't provide personalized financial advice. Our calculators produce general estimates based on standardized assumptions, not recommendations tailored to your situation.
- We don't guarantee investment returns. Past performance does not predict future results. The 7% figure is a historical average, not a promise.
- We don't account for individual tax situations beyond the federal long-term capital gains rate. Your effective rate may differ based on income, filing status, and state of residence.
- We recommend consulting a licensed financial advisor for personalized guidance on investment decisions, tax planning, and retirement strategy.