Last updated: August 2026
Smart Budget Guides publishes educational content about personal finance. This page explains exactly what that means — and what it does not mean — so you can decide how much weight to give anything you read here.
This Is Not Financial Advice
Everything on this site is general educational information. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific product, account, or security.
I am not a certified financial planner, a registered investment adviser, an accountant, or an attorney. I hold no professional financial licence of any kind. What I have is personal experience: I paid off my own debt, learned this material the slow way, and write about what worked and what did not.
Nothing here creates a client relationship, a fiduciary duty, or any obligation on my part to act in your financial interest. If you need advice tailored to your circumstances, speak to a licensed professional who can review your full situation.
Your Situation Is Not Generic
Personal finance advice that works for one household can be actively harmful in another. Income, debt load, dependants, health, job security, local cost of living, and your own tolerance for risk all change the correct answer.
When an article says “most people” or “generally,” treat that as a starting point for your own thinking, not as an instruction. You are responsible for the decisions you make with your money.
Numbers, Limits, and Tax Rules Change
Contribution limits, tax brackets, deduction thresholds, and benefit amounts are updated by government agencies on their own schedule — usually annually, sometimes mid-year. Interest rates, account fees, and product terms change faster than that.
Articles state the year for any figure that has one and link to the primary source where possible. Even so, an article you are reading may have been published months ago. Before you act on a specific number, confirm it against the current source: the IRS for tax rules, the Social Security Administration for benefit figures, and the provider’s own documentation for account terms.
Investing Involves Risk
Any article discussing investing describes general concepts, not recommendations. Investments can lose value. Past performance does not predict future results. Index funds, retirement accounts, and savings products all carry risks — including the risk of losing money you cannot afford to lose.
I do not know your time horizon, your other holdings, or your capacity to absorb a loss. No article on this site does either.
Third-Party Links and Products
Articles link to outside websites, government publications, and financial products. I do not control those sites and am not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability, or privacy practices. A link is not an endorsement, and it is not a guarantee that the product is suitable for you.
Some links are affiliate links. That relationship is set out in full on the Affiliate Disclosure page.
Geographic Scope
Content on this site is written primarily for readers in the United States. Tax rules, retirement accounts, consumer credit law, and benefit programmes referenced here are US-specific and will not apply — or will apply differently — elsewhere.
Limitation of Liability
This site and its content are provided “as is,” without warranty of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Smart Budget Guides is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your use of, or reliance on, anything published here.
Questions and Corrections
If you believe something on this site is wrong, out of date, or misleading, tell me. Corrections are handled under the process described in the Editorial Policy, and you can reach me through the contact page.