Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how MoneyWise uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website. We want to be clear and honest about what happens behind the scenes, so you can make informed choices about your privacy. Please read this alongside our Privacy Policy.

MoneyWise is an independent personal-finance blog for everyday people. We share general educational information only. Nothing on this site is personalized financial, investment, tax or legal advice, and MoneyWise is not a licensed advisor.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device (computer, tablet or phone) when you visit. They are widely used to make websites work properly, to remember your preferences, and to help website owners understand how their pages are used.

Cookies can be “first-party” (set by the site you are visiting, in this case MoneyWise) or “third-party” (set by another company whose service appears on the page). They can also be described by how long they last:

  • Session cookies are temporary and are deleted automatically when you close your browser.
  • Persistent cookies stay on your device for a set period, or until you delete them, so the site can recognise you on a return visit.

Alongside cookies, some services use similar technologies such as pixels, local storage and software development kits (SDKs). Where we mention “cookies” in this policy, we mean these similar technologies too.

How we use cookies

We use cookies to keep the site running smoothly, to remember your choices, and to understand which articles readers find helpful so we can improve our content. We group the cookies we use into three categories.

1. Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set only in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences, navigating the site, or loading pages securely. Without them, parts of the site would not work.

Because they are essential, these cookies do not require your consent. They do not gather information used for marketing.

Purpose Example Typical duration
Remembering your cookie consent choices Consent preference cookie Up to 12 months
Keeping the site secure and balancing server load Security/session cookie Session
Basic site functionality and navigation Functional session cookie Session

2. Analytics cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use MoneyWise, for example which pages are most popular, how people move through the site, and whether they run into any problems. This information is usually aggregated and helps us make the site better. Analytics cookies are only set with your consent.

Purpose Example provider Typical duration
Counting visits and measuring which content is useful [Complete: analytics provider, e.g. Google Analytics] Up to 24 months
Telling new and returning visitors apart [Complete: analytics provider] Up to 24 months
Understanding how readers navigate between pages [Complete: analytics provider] Session to 24 months

3. Third-party cookies

Some features and content on MoneyWise are provided by other companies, and those companies may set their own cookies. This can include embedded videos, social media buttons, or content delivery services. These third parties control their own cookies, and we recommend reviewing their privacy and cookie policies for full details. Non-essential third-party cookies are only set with your consent.

Purpose Example source Typical duration
Displaying embedded videos or media [Complete: e.g. YouTube/Vimeo] Varies by provider
Enabling social media sharing or embeds [Complete: social platform(s)] Varies by provider
Delivering content quickly and reliably [Complete: CDN provider, if used] Varies by provider

Your consent

When you first visit MoneyWise, you will see a cookie banner. Strictly necessary cookies are always active because the site needs them to work. Analytics and third-party (non-essential) cookies are only placed if you agree to them.

You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or choose which categories to allow. You are free to change your mind at any time, and withdrawing consent is as easy as giving it. Your choices will not stop you from reading our articles.

How to manage or refuse cookies

Using our cookie banner

You can update your preferences at any time through our cookie settings. To reopen the choices, use the [Complete: “Cookie settings” link or button location, e.g. in the site footer]. From there you can turn categories on or off and save your new choices.

Using your browser

Most web browsers let you view, manage, block and delete cookies through their settings. You can usually choose to be warned before a cookie is stored, or to refuse cookies altogether. Please note that if you block strictly necessary cookies, some parts of the site may not work as intended.

Instructions for managing cookies are available in the help section of your browser, including:

  • Google Chrome: Settings, then Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data.
  • Mozilla Firefox: Settings, then Privacy & Security.
  • Apple Safari: Settings/Preferences, then Privacy.
  • Microsoft Edge: Settings, then Cookies and site permissions.

On a mobile device, you can manage cookies and tracking through your browser app settings and, in some cases, your device privacy settings.

Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for legal and operational reasons. When we make changes, we will update the “last updated” date below. We encourage you to review this page occasionally to stay informed.

Last updated: [Complete: date]

Contact us

If you have any questions about how we use cookies, please get in touch:

  • Website owner: [Complete: legal or trading name]
  • Email: [Complete: contact email address]
  • Postal address: [Complete: postal address, if applicable]

A note on our content: MoneyWise offers general educational information only and is not a licensed financial, investment, tax or legal advisor. Any figures we mention are illustrative and are not guarantees. All investing carries risk, including the possible loss of money. For guidance tailored to your personal situation, please consult a qualified, licensed professional.