How we research and fact-check.
SpendWiseCents publishes money guides for people managing real, often tight, budgets. Because this is your money, here is exactly how we research, source, and maintain what we publish.
We test advice against real, constrained budgets
Every guide is written and edited against tight, real-world numbers — not aspirational scenarios with money left over. If a strategy only works when you already have margin, we say so.
We cite primary sources for data
Statistics and dollar figures are sourced from primary references where possible — the Federal Reserve, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the USDA, and official government assistance programs — and linked inline so you can verify them yourself.
We separate fact from experience and opinion
Where a claim is based on our own experience rather than a study, we frame it that way. We do not present estimates or opinions as if they were researched statistics.
We keep guides current
Money data changes — grocery prices, benefit thresholds, survey figures. We review evergreen guides on a recurring basis and update the numbers when they change. Substantive updates are reflected in each article's “Updated” date.
We correct mistakes openly
If we get something wrong, we fix it. You can flag an error any time via the contact page and we will review it.
Guides are written and edited by Muhammad Usman, founder & editor of SpendWiseCents. We are not licensed financial advisors, and nothing here is a substitute for personalized advice. The content is educational. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional — see our full disclaimer.