Your Privacy, Explained Clearly
This Privacy Policy explains what information The Debt Survival Guide collects, why we use it, which service providers help us operate the site, and the choices available to you. We believe privacy promises should be understandable—and that we should collect only what we reasonably need.
Privacy at a Glance
Do we collect information you provide?
Under this Privacy Policy, this may include contact-form information, newsletter email addresses, and topic preferences.
Do we collect technical information?
Under this Privacy Policy, the site and its service providers may collect device, browser, IP-address, cookie, advertising, and usage information.
Do we use advertising and analytics services?
Under this Privacy Policy, the site currently loads Google advertising and tag-management services and may use Google Analytics.
Do we use an email provider?
Under this Privacy Policy, MailerLite processes subscriber information on our behalf.
Do we sell your contact messages or subscriber list for money?
Under this Privacy Policy, we do not sell your name, email address, contact message, or subscriber list for money. Some privacy laws define advertising-related sale or sharing more broadly; applicable choices are described below.
Can you unsubscribe?
Under this Privacy Policy, every marketing email should contain an unsubscribe link.
Can you request access, correction, or deletion?
Under this Privacy Policy, depending on where you live and the circumstances, you may have those rights. You may also make a reasonable request regardless of your state.
Table of Contents
1. Scope of This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information processed through thedebtsurvivalguide.com, including information collected when you browse the site, submit the contact form, email the editorial team, subscribe to newsletters, choose email-topic preferences, or interact with advertising, analytics, or affiliate links.
This Privacy Policy does not control the independent privacy practices of third-party websites reached through our links. Those services maintain their own privacy notices and terms.
The Debt Survival Guide provides general educational content. It is not a law firm or financial advisory service, and the site is not designed to collect account numbers, Social Security numbers, complete financial histories, medical records, or other highly sensitive personal information. Please do not submit that information through the contact form, newsletter form, or email.
2. Information We Collect
Information You Choose to Provide
Under this Privacy Policy, we may collect information you provide directly, including:
- your name, email address, subject, and message when you contact us;
- your email address when you subscribe to a newsletter;
- the debt-education topics or email groups you select;
- feedback, correction requests, article suggestions, or other information you voluntarily send; and
- information reasonably needed to respond to a privacy request.
Please do not include account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, copies of identification documents, full credit reports, or other sensitive personal or financial information in ordinary messages.
Information Collected Automatically
Under this Privacy Policy, when you visit the site, WordPress, our hosting provider, and third-party services may automatically collect technical or usage information such as:
- Internet Protocol address;
- browser and device type;
- operating system and approximate location derived from an IP address;
- referring page, pages viewed, time and date of access, and time spent;
- interactions with links, forms, advertisements, and site features;
- cookie identifiers, advertising identifiers, and similar technologies;
- security, error, and server-log information; and
- email engagement information, such as delivery, opens, and link clicks, when supported and enabled through MailerLite.
This Privacy Policy explains that we do not use this technical information to make lending, credit, employment, insurance, or eligibility decisions about visitors.
3. How We Use Information
Under this Privacy Policy, we may use information to:
- operate, maintain, secure, and troubleshoot the site;
- respond to questions, feedback, correction requests, and topic suggestions;
- deliver newsletters and honor topic preferences;
- confirm subscriptions and process unsubscribe requests;
- measure site and email performance;
- understand which articles are useful and improve site navigation and content;
- display, measure, and manage advertising;
- detect spam, abuse, security incidents, or technical failures;
- comply with legal obligations and protect the rights, safety, and integrity of visitors, the site, and service providers; and
- establish, exercise, or defend legal claims when reasonably necessary.
This Privacy Policy allows us to use personal information only for purposes that are compatible with the reason it was collected, unless we provide additional notice or obtain consent where required.
4. Cookies, Analytics, and Advertising
Under this Privacy Policy, the site uses or may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies. These technologies may be placed by us or by service providers.
Essential and Functional Technologies
Under this Privacy Policy, WordPress, the hosting environment, security tools, and site features may use technologies needed to deliver pages, remember settings, prevent abuse, balance traffic, or support forms. Blocking these technologies may affect site operation.
Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager
Under this Privacy Policy, the site loads Google Tag Manager and may use Google Analytics to understand aggregate traffic and site usage. Depending on configuration and consent settings, Google may receive device, browser, IP-derived, page-view, and interaction information. Google’s services may use cookies or similar technologies under Google’s own terms and privacy documentation.
Google AdSense and Advertising Cookies
Under this Privacy Policy, the site loads Google AdSense advertising technology. Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on a visitor’s prior visits to this site or other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve personalized or non-personalized advertisements, depending on settings, consent, and applicable law. Google requires publishers to disclose these practices and provide applicable opt-out information.
You can learn more about Google’s advertising controls and review your choices through Google My Ad Center and Digital Advertising Alliance WebChoices.
Cookie Choices
Under this Privacy Policy, where required, the site should present a consent tool that allows visitors to accept, reject, or adjust nonessential analytics and advertising technologies. If a Cookie Settings control is available, it should appear here and in the footer.
Browser settings can also block or delete cookies. Doing so may affect site functionality and does not necessarily prevent all server-side logging or advertising choices.
5. Newsletter and Email Communications
This Privacy Policy explains that we use MailerLite to manage newsletter subscriptions and email delivery. When you subscribe, MailerLite may process your email address, selected topic groups, subscription status, IP address, signup time, and email-engagement information on our behalf. MailerLite describes itself as a processor of subscriber information for its customers.
Under this Privacy Policy, we use newsletter information to:
- send the educational emails you requested;
- personalize topic selection when you choose interest groups;
- confirm subscriptions when double opt-in is enabled;
- understand delivery, open, and click performance where those features are enabled;
- prevent abuse and maintain the integrity of the list; and
- honor unsubscribes and suppression requests.
Under this Privacy Policy, you may unsubscribe at any time by using the link in a marketing email. We may retain a limited suppression record after an unsubscribe so that we do not send marketing emails to an address that has opted out.
6. Contact Forms and Direct Email
Under this Privacy Policy, the contact page uses Contact Form 7 within WordPress. When you submit the form, the site processes the information you enter and sends it to the editorial inbox. The site and hosting environment may also process technical information needed to deliver the form, prevent spam, and maintain security.
Under this Privacy Policy, we use contact information to respond to messages, evaluate corrections, consider article suggestions, maintain editorial records, and protect the site from abuse. Submitting the contact form does not create an attorney-client, accountant-client, financial-advisor, or other professional relationship.
This Privacy Policy asks you not to submit sensitive personal or financial information. If a message contains information we do not need, we may delete it without using it.
7. How We Disclose Information
Under this Privacy Policy, we may disclose information to service providers that perform work on our behalf, subject to appropriate contractual or operational safeguards. Current categories include:
| Provider/category | Purpose | Information that may be processed |
|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | Newsletter signup, group preferences, email delivery, unsubscribe handling, and email-performance measurement | Email address, preferences, subscription status, signup and engagement information |
| Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics | Tag management and site measurement | Device, browser, page-view, interaction, cookie, and IP-derived information, depending on configuration |
| Google AdSense and advertising partners | Ad delivery, frequency, fraud prevention, measurement, and personalization where allowed | Cookie/advertising identifiers, device and browser data, page activity, and IP-derived information |
| Bluehost and website infrastructure providers | Hosting, delivery, backup, security, logs, and technical support | Site content, server logs, IP addresses, and information submitted through the site |
| WordPress, Astra, and Contact Form 7 | Content management, site presentation, and form processing | Information needed to display the site and process form submissions |
| Professional advisers and authorities | Legal compliance, security, dispute resolution, and protection of rights | Information reasonably necessary for the specific matter |
We may also disclose information:
- when required by law, legal process, or a valid government request;
- to investigate fraud, security incidents, abuse, or violations of site terms;
- to protect the rights, safety, and property of visitors, the site, or others;
- in connection with a merger, sale, transfer, reorganization, or similar business transaction, subject to appropriate notice and protections; or
- with your direction or consent.
We do not sell your name, email address, contact message, or subscriber list for money. Some privacy laws define sale, sharing, or targeted advertising broadly enough to include certain advertising-cookie activity. Where those laws apply, you may have additional opt-out rights described below.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including to provide requested services, maintain security, honor opt-outs, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and comply with legal obligations.
Retention depends on the information and purpose:
- newsletter information may be retained while you are subscribed;
- limited suppression data may be retained after unsubscribe to honor the request;
- contact messages may be retained while needed to respond, document corrections, or maintain reasonable editorial records;
- analytics and advertising information follows configured account settings and provider retention rules;
- server, security, and backup information may remain for limited operational cycles; and
- information may be retained longer when required by law or reasonably needed for a dispute, security investigation, or legal claim.
When information is no longer reasonably needed, we delete, anonymize, or securely dispose of it where practical.
9. Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information against accidental loss, unauthorized access, alteration, misuse, or disclosure. These measures may include access controls, account security, software updates, encrypted connections, backups, spam prevention, service-provider safeguards, and monitoring appropriate to the site.
No website, email system, or storage method can guarantee absolute security. The FTC advises businesses to make accurate privacy promises, collect only what is needed, protect it, and dispose of it securely.
If you believe information submitted to this site has been compromised, contact editor@thedebtsurvivalguide.com with the subject line Security Concern. Do not include additional sensitive information in the initial message.
10. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
Depending on where you live and the circumstances, you may have the right to request:
- confirmation of whether we process your personal information;
- access to or a copy of certain information;
- correction of inaccurate information;
- deletion of certain information;
- restriction of or objection to certain processing;
- portability of certain information;
- withdrawal of consent for future processing;
- an opt-out from certain targeted advertising, sale, or sharing; and
- equal service without unlawful discrimination for exercising applicable rights.
To make a request, email editor@thedebtsurvivalguide.com with the subject line Privacy Request. Describe the request and the email address or interaction involved. We may ask for information reasonably necessary to verify identity and authority. Please do not send a Social Security number, full identification document, account password, or unrelated financial information.
We will respond within the period required by applicable law. If we cannot fulfill a request, we will explain the reason when required. You may unsubscribe from marketing emails immediately through the unsubscribe link in any such email.
Advertising Choices
Where applicable, use the site’s Cookie Settings control to adjust nonessential technologies. You may also use Google’s advertising controls and industry opt-out tools. Browser privacy signals may be handled as described in the final consent-platform configuration.
11. State and International Privacy Notices
United States
Residents of certain U.S. states may have additional rights concerning access, correction, deletion, portability, targeted advertising, sale, sharing, profiling, appeals, or authorized agents. These rights depend on the state, the type of information, and whether an applicable threshold or exemption is met.
A request may be submitted through the method in Section 10. If an appeal right applies and a request is denied, reply to the decision with the subject line Privacy Appeal.
European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and Switzerland
Where applicable law requires a legal basis, we may process information based on:
- consent, such as an optional newsletter subscription or certain cookies;
- legitimate interests, such as site security, editorial improvement, and responding to requests, balanced against visitor rights;
- performance of a requested service, such as delivering a newsletter or responding to a message; and
- compliance with legal obligations.
Service providers may process information in countries other than where you live. Where applicable, providers may rely on contractual safeguards or other lawful transfer mechanisms. MailerLite’s legal materials describe its role as a processor and its international-transfer safeguards.
Depending on applicable law, you may also lodge a complaint with the data-protection authority where you live or work. Contact us first if you would like us to address a concern directly.
12. Children’s Privacy
The Debt Survival Guide is intended for adults seeking general debt and financial education. The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The Site follows applicable federal privacy requirements, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations, as those requirements apply to the Site’s actual practices.
Individual states may have additional or different privacy requirements, including protections for teens and other minors concerning the sale or sharing of personal information, targeted advertising, profiling, or online services directed to minors. If you are a parent, guardian, or user and believe that a child or minor has provided personal information to the Site, or that a state-specific privacy protection may apply, please contact us through the Contact page and identify your state and the nature of your concern. We will review the information provided and respond based on the Site’s actual practices and the requirements that may apply.
13. Third-Party Links and Embedded Services
The site links to government agencies, educational resources, affiliates, and other websites. A link does not make us responsible for another site’s privacy or security practices. Review the privacy notice of any third-party service before providing information.
Embedded content, advertising, fonts, videos, social features, or other third-party tools may collect technical information under their own policies when they load or when you interact with them.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when site practices, service providers, or legal requirements change. The current version will appear on this page with a revised Last updated date. If a change materially affects how previously collected personal information is used, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent when required.
| Date | Material change |
|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 | Rewritten in plain English; added MailerLite, Contact Form 7, Google advertising/analytics, service-provider, retention, security, and privacy-rights disclosures. |
15. Contact Us
For privacy questions or requests, contact us through the Contact page. For general information, read our About the Debt Survival Guide, browse the Debt Management Articles, or review our Disclaimer.
The Debt Survival Guide
Email: editor@thedebtsurvivalguide.com
Subject line: Privacy Request
Do not include Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, complete credit reports, or copies of identity documents in an ordinary email. If additional verification is necessary, we will explain a safer process.
Last updated: September 5, 2026