How we research, source, and publish.
This page sets out how we work. The point is that you can check the result against the method, rather than take our word for any of it.
Our sourcing standard
Every factual claim here is backed by a source you can check. We start with primary sources whenever we can get them: government data, court records, regulatory filings, peer-reviewed research, official statistics. When a primary source is out of reach, we use a secondary one that is open about where its own numbers came from.
We do not cite anonymous sources, unreleased documents, or anything you cannot verify yourself. When a source has limits, a small sample, an old date, a regional quirk, we note it next to the citation rather than bury it and hope you miss it.
What we publish
We run a few kinds of work, each held to its own bar. Research pieces are original analysis built on primary data or a systematic review. They get the most scrutiny and always carry a methodology section. Practical guides walk you through doing something specific and cite the rules or standards involved before they go live. Market analysis sums up conditions or pricing trends from published data, and we label it analysis, not a prediction. Reference material, the cost data and state-by-state comparisons, comes from official channels and is updated when the underlying numbers move.
How a piece gets reviewed
Nothing publishes without clearing two stages. First the named author researches, writes, and checks the piece, confirming that every source is current and cited correctly. Then an editor reads it for accuracy and clarity, and can send it back for more sourcing, which the author rarely enjoys and usually needs. Anything with calculations in it gets a third pass, where the numbers are checked against the source they came from.
Independence and disclosures
We are independently owned and run, and we do not take payment for coverage, inclusion, or kind words. Our editors make the editorial calls, and nobody else does.
Some pages carry affiliate links, and if you click one and buy something we may earn a commission. We disclose those links where they appear, and they never change what we write or what we recommend.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we fix it and say so. For a substantive error, bad data or a misattributed source, we add a correction notice at the top of the piece that explains what changed and why.
To report one, use our contact page with the link and a short description of the problem. We aim to reply within two business days, occasionally sooner if the coffee is good.
Updates
We revisit pieces over time and update them when the facts move: a tax bracket adjusts, a regulation changes, newer research replaces older. Updated pieces show the date we last reviewed them.
For anything time-sensitive, check it against an official source before you act on it. We are thorough, not psychic.
Questions about our standards? We take them from readers, journalists, and publishers alike, and you will get a real answer from a real person. Reach us through our contact page.