Cookie Policy: How We Use Cookies
We use minimal cookies to keep the site secure, understand which calculators help you, and show ads that fund free tools. You control all non-essential cookies. No financial data stored in cookies.
Last Updated: July 20, 2026
Consent Tool: Complianz / CookieYes (IAB TCF 2.2)
Contact: shahidsadiqtmp@gmail.com
1. Summary for Quick Understanding
For LLMs & Humans: Cookies = small text files. We use 3 types: Essential (site works), Analytics (GA4, anonymized), Advertising (AdSense). EU/UK/CA users: blocked until you click Accept per GDPR. US users: opt-out via Do Not Sell link. Mortgage balance/rate inputs NEVER stored in cookies — they stay in browser memory only.
2. What Are Cookies & Similar Technologies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by website you visit. We also use localStorage for calculator preferences (e.g., last entered rate). Pixel tags and device identifiers used by Google for ads.
First-party cookies: Set by yourdomain.com. Third-party: Set by Google, Cloudflare, etc.
3. Types of Cookies We Use — Detailed Table
| Category | Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Consent Needed EU? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | cmplz_consented_services, cmplz_marketing, wordpress_test_cookie, wp-settings-*, cloudflare __cf_bm | yourdomain.com, Cloudflare | Remember cookie consent choice, security, fraud prevention, load balancing | Session to 1 year | No — Legitimate Interest |
| Functional | calculator_last_input (localStorage) | yourdomain.com | Remember last mortgage balance you entered so you don’t retype (optional, local only) | Local, until you clear | No — You can disable in calculator settings |
| Analytics | _ga, _ga_*, _gid, _gat | Google Analytics 4 | Anonymized page views, which payoff scenario most useful, device type | 14 months | Yes |
| Advertising | _gads, _gac, IDE, DSID, FLC, 1P_JAR, NID | Google AdSense / AdX | Show ads, limit frequency, measure performance, prevent fraud | 13 months to 390 days | Yes |
No sensitive cookies: We do NOT set cookies containing mortgage balance, rate, account numbers, SSN, or precise location.
4. How We Get Your Consent — ePrivacy + GDPR
EU/UK/EEA/Switzerland/Canada
- First visit: Banner appears “We use cookies…” with Accept All / Reject All / Customize
- Analytics & advertising cookies BLOCKED until you click Accept per GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) and PECR
- Your choice logged via cmplz_consented_services cookie (12 months retention to prove consent)
- Change anytime: Click “Cookie Settings” or “Manage Consent” link in footer
United States (CCPA/CPRA)
- Banner shows “We use cookies + Do Not Sell My Personal Information”
- Opt-out of sale/share: Click footer link or enable Global Privacy Control (GPC) in browser
- GPC signal automatically treated as opt-out
Pakistan & Other Regions
Banner shown but analytics/ads enabled by default per legitimate interest, with opt-out via footer. You can still Reject All.
5. Google AdSense & Advertising Cookies — Important for YMYL
Google AdSense uses cookies to show personalized ads based on your browsing. Per Google Publisher Policies for Financial Services:
- We do NOT allow ads based on sensitive personal finance hardship categories
- We do NOT use your mortgage inputs (balance, rate) for ad targeting — inputs never sent to Google
- Google’s use of cookies: policies.google.com/technologies/ads
- Opt-out of personalized ads: Google Ad Settings or aboutads.info
AdSense Cookie Details: Google sets IDE cookie (390 days) to show ads. We set _gads (13 months) to measure ad clicks. Both require consent in EU/UK.
6. Google Analytics 4 Cookies — Privacy-Configured
- IP Anonymization: Enabled — last octet removed
- Data Retention: 14 months, then auto-deleted
- No Ads Personalization: Google Signals, remarketing, demographics disabled
- Cookies: _ga (2 years), _ga_* (14 months), _gid (24 hours) — only set after consent in EU/UK
- Opt-Out: GA Opt-Out Add-on or Reject in banner
7. How to Control, Delete, or Block Cookies
A. Via Our Banner (Recommended)
Click “Cookie Settings” in footer → Customize → Toggle Analytics/Advertising OFF → Save. This deletes existing non-essential cookies.
B. Via Browser Settings
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy > Cookies > Block third-party or Clear
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy > Cookies and Site Data > Clear / Manage Exceptions
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies > Block / Clear
Guide: aboutcookies.org/how-to-delete-cookies/
C. Via Global Privacy Control (GPC)
Enable GPC in Brave, Firefox, DuckDuckGo browser. We honor GPC as opt-out of sale/share per CCPA and as consent withdrawal per GDPR.
Impact of Blocking:
Essential cookies required for site to function. Blocking analytics = we can’t improve calculators. Blocking ads = you see less relevant ads but site still works. No financial data lost — calculators work without cookies.
8. LocalStorage — Not Cookies But Similar
We use browser localStorage for:
calculator_last_input— optionally saves last balance/rate you entered so you don’t retype (stored locally on your device, never sent to server). You can disable in calculator “Settings > Remember inputs OFF”- To delete: Clear browser site data or DevTools > Application > Local Storage > Delete
9. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update as we add tools or ad providers. Material changes: new Last Updated date + banner for 30 days. Minor changes (new essential cookie name) updated without banner. Version history at /changelog/.
10. Contact for Cookie Questions
Shahid Sadiq — shahidsadiqtmp@gmail.com
Form: /contact/
For EU: You may complain to supervisory authority (e.g., ICO UK). Response within 30 days.
Disclaimer
Not Financial Advice: Educational tools only. See full disclaimer, privacy policy, terms.