Cookie Policy
What cookies we use and why
What Are Cookies Anyway?
Cookies are tiny text files that get saved to your device when you visit websites. They help sites remember things about you - like your preferences or what's in your shopping cart. Think of them as the website's short-term memory.
Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies for a few reasons, and we try to keep it minimal. Here's the breakdown:
Essential Cookies
What they do: Make the website actually work. These handle basic stuff like keeping your session active and remembering your preferences.
Can you disable them? Technically yes, but the site probably won't work right. It's like trying to drive a car without wheels - not recommended.
Examples: Session cookies, security cookies, load balancing cookies
Analytics Cookies
What they do: Help us understand how people use the site. Which calculators are popular? Where are people getting stuck? This helps us make things better.
Can you disable them? Yes. The site will still work fine without them, we just won't know what's working and what isn't.
What we track: Page visits, time spent on pages, which calculators you use, general browsing patterns. Nothing personal or identifying.
Advertising Cookies
What they do: Help show ads that might actually be relevant to you. These are set by our advertising partners, not directly by us.
Can you disable them? Yes, through your browser settings or ad blocker. You'll still see ads, they just won't be targeted.
The deal: We show ads to keep the site free. These cookies make the ads somewhat useful instead of completely random.
How to Control Cookies
You're in control. Here's how to manage cookies:
Browser Settings
Every browser lets you block or delete cookies. Check your browser's settings - usually under Privacy or Security. Fair warning: blocking all cookies will break a lot of websites.
Do Not Track
Most browsers have a "Do Not Track" option. We respect this when we can, though some third-party services might not.
Ad Blockers
These will block most advertising cookies. We get it - ads can be annoying. Just know that they help keep the site free.
Clear Cookies Regularly
You can delete cookies anytime through your browser settings. It's like giving your browser a fresh start.
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies come from third parties - mainly Google Analytics and our advertising partners. These companies have their own cookie policies that you can check out:
- Google Analytics: Tracks site usage and helps us improve
- Ad Networks: Deliver and track advertisements
We try to work with companies that respect privacy, but we can't control their cookies once they're set. Check their policies if you want more details.
How Long Do Cookies Last?
Depends on the cookie:
- Session cookies: Disappear when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Stick around for a set time (could be days, months, or even years)
Most of our cookies are session-based or short-term. We're not trying to track you forever.
Updates to This Policy
If we start using cookies differently, we'll update this page. We're not planning any major changes though - our approach is pretty simple and we like it that way.
Got questions about cookies or want to know more? Contact us. We're happy to explain things in plain English rather than legal jargon.