Editorial Policy
Last updated: October 1, 2026
Debt To Zero exists to give readers trustworthy, practical guidance on getting out of debt. This Editorial Policy explains how we research, write, review, and maintain our content — so you know exactly what stands behind every article.
Our Mission
We publish clear, honest, jargon-free explanations of debt payoff strategies, credit, and debt relief options. We aim to educate — never to pressure, mislead, or sell you something you don’t need.
How We Research Articles
Every article starts with primary and authoritative sources. Depending on the topic, that means:
- Government and official sources — such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the IRS, and the U.S. Department of Education — for rules, rights, and program details.
- Nonprofit and industry authorities — such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the three major credit bureaus — for process explanations and current practices.
- Primary documents — cardholder agreements, loan disclosures, and issuer policy pages — when we describe specific product terms.
- Reputable data — from sources like the Federal Reserve — when we cite statistics about household debt or interest rates.
We link to sources where it helps readers verify claims, and we avoid relying on anonymous forums or marketing copy as evidence.
How We Review Content
Before publication, each article is checked for:
- Accuracy — facts, figures, program rules, and legal references are verified against current sources.
- Clarity — complex topics are explained in plain language, with jargon defined on first use.
- Balance — when we compare options (for example, debt settlement vs. a debt management plan), we present genuine pros, cons, and costs for each — not just the upsides.
- Compliance — content is reviewed against our Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure standards.
Independence and Affiliate Links
Our editorial judgment is independent. Affiliate relationships never determine which topics we cover, which options we discuss, or how we compare them. When a page contains affiliate links, we disclose it — see our Affiliate Disclosure for the full policy.
How We Handle Corrections
We take accuracy seriously. If you spot a factual error, please tell us through our Contact Us page with the article URL and details. We investigate promptly, correct verified errors, and note significant corrections on the article itself.
How We Keep Content Updated
Debt rules, interest rates, and company policies change. We periodically review published articles — prioritizing fast-moving topics like tax debt programs, bankruptcy law changes, and issuer hardship programs — and update them to reflect current information. Each article displays its last-updated date so you can see how fresh it is.
Who Writes Our Content
Articles are written by contributors with demonstrated personal finance expertise. Our lead writer, Donald, specializes in debt payoff strategies and researches each topic from primary sources before writing. Author bios appear on articles so you always know who’s behind the advice.
What We Don’t Publish
We don’t publish sponsored articles disguised as editorial content, paid rankings, or advice that encourages readers to take on unaffordable debt. We also don’t provide personalized financial, tax, or legal advice — our content is educational, and we say so clearly (see our Disclaimer).