Last updated: October 28, 2026
Your privacy matters to me. This policy explains what information Frugal Journal (frugaljournal.com) collects, why, and what you can do about it. I’ve kept it short and plain. By using this site, you agree to this policy.
Who runs this site
Frugal Journal is an independent budgeting and frugal living publication, edited by Sarah Jenkins. You can reach us at info@frugaljournal.com.
Children’s privacy
This site is for adults. It isn’t meant for children under 13, and we don’t knowingly collect information from them. If you’re a parent and think your child gave us personal information, email us. We’ll delete it.
What information we collect
Information you give us. If you email us, we get your name, your email address, and whatever you write. If we add a newsletter or a contact form later, we’ll collect the details you type into it, such as your email address.
Information collected automatically. When you visit, our servers and tools may record:
- Your IP address
- Browser type and device type
- Operating system
- Pages you view and how long you stay
- The page that sent you here, such as a Pinterest pin
- Date and time of your visit
We don’t ask for payment details on this site. Comments are turned off, so we don’t collect comment data.
How we use information
- To run and improve the site
- To see which guides people find useful
- To answer your emails
- To send a newsletter, only if you sign up for one
- To show ads and measure them, if we run ads
- To keep the site secure and stop abuse
- To follow the law
Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small files a website stores in your browser. They remember settings and help us count visits. Web beacons, pixels, and tags do similar jobs. They tell a service that a page was loaded.
You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some parts of the site may work less well if you do. For more detail, read our Cookie Policy.
Log files
Like most websites, our host keeps standard server logs. They include IP addresses, browser type, timestamps, and the pages requested. We use them to keep the site running and secure.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site. Google may set cookies and collect data such as your IP address and pages viewed. Read about it on Google’s page on how it uses data from partner sites. You can opt out with the Google Analytics opt out browser add on.
Most visitors arrive from Pinterest. Our articles may show a Pinterest Save button on images. When you use it, or load Pinterest’s code on our page, Pinterest may collect data under its own policy. Read the Pinterest Privacy Policy. We don’t control what Pinterest collects.
Advertising
We may work with third party advertising partners now or in the future. These partners may use cookies and similar tools to show ads based on your interests, and to measure how ads perform. You can opt out of interest based ads through the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance. If we start showing ads, we will update this policy with the details we are required to give.
Affiliate links
Some pages may include affiliate links. If you click one and buy something, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The store or program may set its own cookies when you click. See our Affiliate and Advertising Disclosure.
Email and newsletters
We only send marketing email to people who sign up. Every email will include an unsubscribe link. You can also write to us and we’ll remove you. We follow the CAN-SPAM Act.
Links and embedded content
Our articles link to other websites. This policy doesn’t apply to them. Read their policies before you share information. Pages may also embed content, such as images or videos from other sites. Those sites may track you the same way they would if you visited them directly.
Social media
If you interact with us on Pinterest or another social platform, that platform’s policy applies to the information you share there.
Who we share information with
We don’t sell your personal information for money. We may share information with:
- Service providers that help us run the site, such as hosting, analytics, and email tools
- Advertising and affiliate partners, as described above
- Authorities, when the law requires it or to protect rights and safety
- A buyer, if the site is ever sold or transferred
How long we keep information
We keep emails you send us for as long as needed to answer you and to keep a record of corrections or requests. Newsletter details stay until you unsubscribe. Google Analytics data is kept for the retention period set in our Google Analytics account settings, and is then removed from our reports.
Security
We use reasonable steps to protect your information. No website or online method is 100 percent secure, so we can’t promise absolute security.
Your rights if you live in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom
We process personal data on these legal grounds: your consent (for example, cookies that aren’t strictly needed), our legitimate interest in running and improving the site, and legal duty. You have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct data that is wrong
- Ask us to erase your data
- Ask us to restrict how we use it
- Object to our use of it
- Receive your data in a portable format
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Complain to your local data protection authority
Your rights if you live in California
California law gives residents rights over their personal information. You can:
- Ask what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
- Ask us to delete personal information we collected from you
- Ask us to correct inaccurate information
- Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information
- Get equal service and prices when you use these rights
We don’t sell personal information for money. Some ad and analytics tools may count as “sharing” under California law. If we use such tools, you can opt out using the links in the Advertising section above, or by emailing us. We’ll respond to verified requests within 45 days, and we may ask you to confirm your identity. Residents of other U.S. states with privacy laws may make the same requests.
How to make a privacy request
Email info@frugaljournal.com with the subject line “Privacy request.” Tell us what you’d like us to do and the email address you used to contact us.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy. We’ll change the date at the top when we do. If you keep using the site after an update, you accept the new version. Please check this page now and then.
Contact
Questions about privacy? Email info@frugaljournal.com.