Rebuild Forward sometimes mentions or compares products and services, like credit monitoring tools, debt relief companies, and budgeting apps. Here’s exactly how we approach that, so you know what you’re reading.
What “products that may help” means
When we mention a product or service, we’re describing something that may be a reasonable option for certain situations, based on its features, cost, and terms — not a guarantee that it’s the best or only choice for you. Financial situations vary a lot, and something that works well for one reader may not fit another.
When we say we’ve tested something — and when we haven’t
We only describe a product as “tested” or “hands-on” if someone on our end has genuinely used it. When that’s not the case, our coverage is based on publicly available information: the company’s own terms, fee schedules, features pages, and disclosures, plus outside sources like regulatory filings or independent reporting where relevant. We won’t describe a service as tested when it hasn’t been, and we’ll be clear about which is which.
How we choose what to include
Our picks and comparisons are based on factors like:
- Fees and costs, including any fine print about cancellation or hidden charges
- Eligibility requirements (credit score minimums, income requirements, state availability, etc.)
- Features that matter for the specific problem a reader is trying to solve
- Transparency of the company’s terms and any red flags in how they’re marketed
Whether a company is an affiliate partner does not determine whether it’s included in an article or how favorably it’s described. Some products we mention aren’t affiliate partners at all, and some affiliate partners don’t make it into every relevant comparison if they aren’t a good fit.
What we’re not
We’re not a certified financial advisor, credit counselor, or law firm, and nothing on this site is personalized financial or legal advice. Our reviews and comparisons are meant to help you narrow down options and ask better questions, not replace advice specific to your situation.
Questions about a specific review
If you think something in a review is outdated, inaccurate, or unfair, let us know through our contact page. See also our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure for more context.