FinanceBuddy (“FinanceBuddy,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes the categories of information we collect through financebuddy.com and related pages, communications, and services that link to this policy (collectively, the “Site”); the sources and purposes of that information; the purposes for which we use it, the circumstances in which we disclose it; how long we retain it; and the choices and rights that may be available to you. By accessing or using the Site, you acknowledge the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Site.
“Personal information” means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked to an individual or household. It does not include information that is lawfully public, deidentified, or aggregated so that it cannot reasonably be linked to an individual or household. This policy does not apply to information collected by third parties, including websites, advertisers, service providers, or other services that the Site links to or integrates with, except to the extent we expressly state otherwise.
1. What FinanceBuddy Is
FinanceBuddy is an informational website. We publish educational articles and guides about personal loans, debt, cash advance products, and banking.
We are not a lender, bank, broker, or loan servicer. We do not make credit decisions, underwrite loans, or process applications.
2. What We Do Not Collect
The Site does not host applications or application forms. We do not collect:
- financial application information
- underwriting data
- credit reports or credit scores
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or payment card numbers
The Site does not host loan applications or make credit decisions. If you follow a link, call a telephone number, submit information, or otherwise interact with a third-party after leaving the Site, that third-party — not FinanceBuddy — determines its collection and use of your information under its own terms and privacy policy. We do not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for third-party content, offers, eligibility decisions, security, availability, or data practices, and your dealings with third parties are solely between you and them.
3. What We Collect
We collect limited information about how the Site is used, which may include:
- device and browser information
- IP address and approximate location derived from it
- pages visited, time on page, and other on-site activity
- how you arrived at the Site, including referral source and campaign parameters
- cookie identifiers and similar online identifiers
- your email address, if you choose to subscribe to a newsletter where we offer one
We collect information directly from you when you subscribe, contact us, or otherwise provide it; automatically from your browser or device when you use the Site; and from vendors, analytics providers, advertising or measurement partners, referral sources, and other lawful sources that support or help us understand use of the Site. We may combine information from these sources.
We do not use any of this to make lending, credit, or underwriting decisions.
4. How We Use It
We may use personal information as reasonably necessary to: provide, operate, maintain, personalize, and improve the Site; analyze traffic, audiences, referrals, campaigns, and content performance; communicate with you and manage subscriptions; deliver, measure, and improve advertising or affiliate-related content where used; detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, and unlawful activity; debug and maintain Site integrity; enforce our terms and protect our rights, property, users, and others; comply with law, legal process, and regulatory obligations; establish, exercise, or defend legal claims; evaluate or complete a merger, financing, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, sale of assets, or similar transaction; and carry out other purposes disclosed when information is collected or with your direction or consent. We may use deidentified or aggregated information for any lawful purpose and will not attempt to reidentify it except as permitted by law.
5. Cookies and Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, to measure how visitors find and use the Site and to improve its content and performance. Google Analytics may collect page views, session and interaction events, referral and campaign information, cookie or similar online identifiers, and device, browser, operating-system, language, and approximate-location information. Google receives and processes this information on our behalf to provide analytics reports and related measurement services. We do not intentionally send Google information that directly identifies you, such as your name, email address, Social Security number, or financial account information.
Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to distinguish browsers, maintain sessions, and generate aggregated statistics about Site use. Google may process information on servers in the United States or other countries under its applicable terms and privacy practices. Analytics data is retained according to the retention settings configured for our Google Analytics property and may also remain in aggregated reports that are not tied to an individual user or event.
Where required by law, we request your consent before activating nonessential analytics, advertising, cookies or related measurement technologies features. You may withhold or withdraw consent through the cookie controls made available on the Site, use browser settings to block or delete cookies, or use a legally recognized browser-based opt-out preference signal. We may modify, replace, disable, or add analytics and similar providers as our business and technology change, subject to applicable notice and consent requirements. If we enable Google advertising features, Google signals, cross-context behavioral advertising, or links between analytics or link Analytics data with advertising services, those features will be used subject to applicable consent and opt-out requirements. Disabling analytics technologies may limit features, personalization, measurements, Site performance and/or impact access to core Site content.
6. Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links, embedded content, advertisements, offers, or other materials supplied by third parties. We provide them for convenience or informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or representation by FinanceBuddy. Third parties may independently collect information from you or your device, and their terms and privacy practices govern. To the fullest extent permitted by law, FinanceBuddy disclaims responsibility and liability for third-party content, products, services, availability, security, acts, omissions, and data practices.
7. Who We Share Information With
We may disclose information to service providers, contractors, and professional advisers that support hosting, analytics, security, email delivery, content operations, advertising measurement, legal, accounting, insurance, audit, or similar functions. We authorize providers processing information on our behalf to use it for contracted services and other purposes permitted by law and require appropriate contractual protections where legally required. We may also disclose information to business partners, referral sources, advertisers, or measurement providers when necessary to operate, fund, analyze, or promote the Site, subject to applicable choices.
We may disclose information if we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to comply with law, regulation, subpoena, court order, governmental request, or legal process; investigate or prevent suspected fraud, abuse, security incidents, violations, or unlawful conduct; enforce agreements; protect the rights, property, safety, and security of FinanceBuddy, our users, or others; or establish, exercise, or defend legal claims. We may transfer information as part of an actual or proposed merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership, sale of assets, change of control, or similar transaction, including during due diligence. The recipient may continue using information subject to this policy unless it provides notice of materially different practices.
8. How Long We Keep It
We retain each category of information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including operating and securing the Site, maintaining requested communications, analyzing performance, resolving disputes, enforcing agreements, preserving evidence, and satisfying legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, insurance, or compliance obligations. Retention periods vary based on the information’s nature and sensitivity, the purposes of processing, operational needs, legal requirements, and risks of unauthorized use or disclosure. We may retain information longer when required or permitted by law, when subject to a legal hold, or when necessary to establish, exercise, or defend claims. When information is no longer needed, we may delete, deidentify, or aggregate it; residual copies may remain temporarily in backups or disaster-recovery systems until overwritten in the ordinary course of business.
9. Security
We use administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards that we consider reasonable and appropriate to the nature of information under our control. No security measure, transmission method, network, storage system, or service can be guaranteed to be completely secure, error-free, or immune from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you provide information and use the Site at your own risk, and we do not warrant or guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for using appropriate security practices on your devices, browsers, accounts, and networks.
10. Your Choices and Rights
You can opt out of marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us.
Depending on where you live, the law that applies to us, and applicable exceptions, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, deletion of, or a portable copy of certain personal information; obtain information about our processing; opt out of sale, sharing, targeted advertising, or certain profiling; limit certain uses or disclosures of sensitive personal information; withdraw consent; and appeal a decision on a request. These rights are not absolute. We may deny or limit a request when permitted by law, including when we cannot verify the requester, an exception applies, the request is excessive or manifestly unfounded, fulfilling it would adversely affect another person’s rights, or the information must be retained for security, fraud prevention, legal compliance, recordkeeping, or claims. California residents may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended.
To submit a request, email us at the address below and identify the right you seek to exercise, your state of residence, and information reasonably sufficient for us to locate relevant records. We may require identity verification, authentication through an existing account, a signed declaration, or other information reasonably necessary to prevent fraud. Where permitted by law, an authorized agent may act for you, but we may require proof of authority and direct verification from you. We will respond within the period required by applicable law and may charge a reasonable fee or decline repetitive, excessive, or manifestly unfounded requests where permitted. If we deny a request and applicable law provides an appeal right, you may appeal by replying to our decision or emailing us with “Privacy Appeal” in the subject line. We will not unlawfully discriminate against you for exercising a privacy right. Where legally required, we honor recognized browser-based opt-out preference signals, including Global Privacy Control, for the browser or device sending the signal; signals may not apply across devices, browsers, or profiles.
11. Children
The Site is intended only for adults over the age of 18 or older. We are in compliance with the requirements of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13. If we learn that we have collected such information without legally valid authorization, we will take reasonable steps to delete it. If you believe a child has provided information to us, contact us using the information below. Users under 18 should use the Site only with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian.
12. Changes
We may revise this policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, services, legal obligations, or other factors. The “Last updated” date identifies the latest revision. Unless applicable law requires otherwise, an updated policy becomes effective when posted. When legally required, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before materially different processing begins. Your continued use of the Site after an updated policy becomes effective constitutes acknowledgment of the revised policy. You should review this policy periodically.
13. Additional Terms and Governing Law
Nothing in this policy creates a contractual obligation beyond what applicable law requires, expands your rights beyond those provided by law, or waives any defense, exemption, limitation, privilege, or right available to FinanceBuddy. If any provision is held unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted and the remaining provisions will remain effective. Headings are for convenience only. To the extent permitted by law, this policy and any dispute concerning privacy or the Site are governed by the laws of the State of Kansas, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles; mandatory rights under applicable privacy law remain unaffected.
14. Contact
FinanceBuddy is the business responsible for the personal information described in this policy. For privacy questions or requests email support@financebuddy.com and include “Privacy Request” in the subject line, as applicable. Please do not send Social Security numbers, financial account information, government identification documents, or other highly sensitive information unless we specifically request it through a secure method.
This Privacy Policy is intended to describe our current practices and is not legal advice to any reader.