Last updated: AUGUST 5, 2026
At soundmoneyguide.com we publish information about money — loans, mortgages, credit cards, bank accounts and savings. Because these topics affect people’s finances, we hold our content to a high standard for accuracy, transparency and independence. This page explains how we research, write, review and correct what we publish.
Our mission
To make financial products easier to understand. We explain complex topics in plain language and compare options using official data, so readers can make informed decisions for themselves. We provide general information, not personalized financial advice.
Who writes our content
Our content is created by soundmoneyguide’s editorial team. Our founding editor is a professional educator with 13+ years’ teaching experience and a lifelong, self-taught researcher who specializes in turning complicated material into clear explanations. Every author has a visible profile describing their background.
We are not a bank, lender, broker or licensed financial adviser, and we do not claim to be. Where our team lacks specialist qualifications, we rely on official primary sources and, where available, review by qualified professionals.
How we research (sourcing standards)
Every factual claim — especially any rate, fee, APR, APY or program detail — must be traceable to a reliable primary source. We prioritize, in order:
- Government and regulatory bodies — e.g. the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).
- The provider’s official pages — a bank’s or lender’s own rates and terms.
- Reputable, established financial data publishers — used for context, with attribution.
We do not copy text, feature lists or analysis from other websites. All analysis is our own, written from primary data.
Accuracy and freshness
Financial figures change constantly, so we date our work:
- Each article shows a “Last reviewed” date and, where applicable, the person who reviewed it.
- Articles that quote rates or fees are reviewed at least quarterly, and whenever we become aware of a significant change.
- Figures are presented as ranges or “as of [date]” because the exact rate a reader receives depends on their circumstances (credit, income, location).
If a figure on our site is out of date, we want to fix it — please tell us (see “Corrections” below).
Editorial independence
- Our analysis is independent. We do not accept payment in exchange for favorable coverage, rankings or reviews.
- Some articles contain affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you act on them, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund our work but does not influence our editorial conclusions. Articles with affiliate links carry a visible disclosure.
- Advertising (including Google AdSense) is kept separate from editorial content and never determines what we write.
Not financial advice
Our content is for general information and education only. It is not personalized financial, investment, tax or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always review a provider’s official terms and consider speaking with a licensed professional before making a financial decision.
Corrections policy
Accuracy matters, and we correct mistakes openly:
- Found an error or an outdated figure? Email us with a link to the article and, ideally, the official source.
- We review every report. When we correct a material error, we update the article and refresh its “Last reviewed” date.
- Financial institutions: if information about your product is inaccurate, email us with a link to your official terms and we will review it promptly.
Use of tools and human oversight
We may use research and writing tools to help draft and organize content, but every article is reviewed and edited by a person against official sources before publication. A human is responsible for what we publish.
Contact
Questions about our editorial standards? Email or use our Contact page.