Affiliate disclosure

We believe you should know exactly how a website that talks about money makes its own.

How we earn

Debt Optimization is free to use. We keep it that way partly through affiliate relationships: when you click certain outbound links — primarily on our Compare Options page — and then apply for or open a product, we may receive a commission from that provider. This comes at no additional cost to you, and it does not change the rate, fee, or terms you're offered.

What it does — and doesn't — change

• It doesn't change our guidance. Our calculators run the same math for every user, and our guides routinely tell you when not to take a product, including products we could earn from.
• It doesn't change your price. Affiliate commissions are paid by the provider out of their marketing budget.
• It does help us keep the calculators free, private, and free of intrusive ads.

Our commitment

We will always: label advertising and affiliate links clearly; describe product categories honestly, including their downsides; and prioritize the option that gets you out of debt for the least money — not the one that pays us most. If we ever can't recommend something in good conscience, we won't, regardless of commission.

This disclosure is provided in the spirit of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's guidance on endorsements and affiliate advertising. Questions? Reach us via the contact form.