Gathering of Personally-Identifying Information
Certain visitors to livingfrugally.info choose to interact with me (Misti Sandefur) in ways that require me to gather personally-identifying information. The amount and type of information that I gather depends on the nature of the interaction. For example, I ask visitors who subscribe to the Living Frugally newsletter and visitors who get in touch with me through my contact page to provide their name and email address.
In all cases where I collect personally-identifying information, I collect such information only insofar as is necessary or appropriate to fulfill the purpose of the visitor’s interaction with me. I do not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described below. And visitors can always refuse to supply personally-identifying information, with the caveat that it may prevent them from engaging in certain website-related activities.
All personal information that you provide to me must be true, complete, and accurate, and you must notify me of any changes to such personal information.
Information Automatically Collected
I automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate livingfrugally.info. This information does not reveal your specific identity (like your name or contact information) but may include device and usage information, such as your IP address, browser, and device characteristics, operating system, language preferences, referring URLs, device name, country, location, information about how and when you use livingfrugally.info, and other technical information. This information is primarily needed to maintain the security and operation of livingfrugally.info, and for my internal analytics and reporting purposes.
Like many businesses, I also collect information through cookies and similar technologies.
The information I collect includes:
Log and Usage Data. Log and usage data is service-related, diagnostic, usage and performance information my servers automatically collect when you access or use my website and which I record in log files. Depending on how you interact with me, this log data may include your IP address, device information, browser type and settings and information about your activity in the website (such as the date/time stamps associated with your usage, pages and files viewed, searches and other actions you take such as which features you use), device event information (such as system activity, error reports (sometimes called ‘crash dumps’) and hardware settings).
Device Data. I collect device data such as information about your computer, phone, tablet, or other device you use to access livingfrugally.info. Depending on the device used, this device data may include information such as your IP address (or proxy server), device and application identification numbers, location, browser type, hardware model internet service provider and/or mobile carrier, operating system, and system configuration information.
Location Data. I collect location data, such as information about your device’s location, which can be either precise or imprecise. How much information I collect depends on the type and settings of the device you use to access the website. For example, I may use GPS and other technologies to collect geolocation data that tells me your current location (based on your IP address). You can opt-out of allowing me to collect this information either by refusing access to the information or by disabling your location setting on your device. Note, however, if you choose to opt-out, you may not be able to use certain aspects of the services.
Embedded Content From Other Websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
Use of Your Information
I use personal information collected via my website for a variety of business purposes described below. I process your personal information for these purposes in reliance on my legitimate business interests, in order to enter into or perform a contract with you, with your consent, and/or for compliance with legal obligations. I indicate the specific processing grounds I rely on next to each purpose listed below.
I use the information I collect or receive:
Request feedback. I may use your information to request feedback and/or to contact you about your use of my website.
To send you the Living Frugally newsletter. If you subscribe to my free newsletter, I use the personal information you provided when subscribing to send updates related to the website, updates such as new articles, article updates, and any other news relevant to livingfrugally.info that I feel is important. I also include freebie listings in newsletters, and on occasion, I let you know about what I believe are great money-saving deals. Each newsletter gives you the option to unsubscribe at anytime.
To protect my services. I may use your information as part of my efforts to keep my website safe and secure (for example, for fraud monitoring and prevention).
To enforce my terms, conditions, and policies for business purposes or to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
To respond to legal requests and prevent harm. If I receive a subpoena or other legal request, I may need to inspect the data I hold to determine how to respond.
Administer prize draws and competitions. I may use your information to administer prize draws and competitions when you elect to participate in my competitions.
To respond to user inquiries/offer support to users. I may use your information to respond to your inquiries and solve any potential issues you might have with the use of my website.
For other business purposes. I may use your information for other business purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of my promotional campaigns, and to evaluate and improve my website, products, services, marketing, and your experience. I may use and store this information in aggregated and anonymized form so that it is not associated with individual end users and does not include personal information. I will not use identifiable personal information without your consent.
Sharing of Your Information
Unless you have given me specific consent, I do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. The only time I may release your information is when I believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce my site policies, or protect my or others’ rights, property, or safety.
In regards to non-personally identifiable visitor information, I may allow third parties to use tracking technology on the website, which will enable them to collect data on my behalf about how you interact with my website over time. This information may be used to, among other things, analyze and track data, determine the popularity of certain content, pages, or features, and better understand online activity.
Is Your Information Transferred Internationally?
My servers are located in the United States. If you are accessing livingfrugally.info from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed by me in my office and by those third parties with whom I may share your information (see “Sharing of Your Information” above), in the United States, and other countries.
If you are a resident in the European Economic Area, then these countries may not necessarily have data protection laws or other similar laws as comprehensive as those in your country. I will, however, take all necessary measures to protect your personal information in accordance with this privacy notice and applicable law.
Cookies
A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. I use cookies to help me identify and track visitors, their usage of livingfrugally.info, and their website access preferences. Visitors who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using livingfrugally.info, with the drawback that certain features of my website may not function properly without the aid of cookies.
Ads
Ads appearing on livingfrugally.info may be delivered to users by advertising partners who may set cookies. These cookies allow the ad server to recognize your computer each time they send you an online advertisement to compile information about you or others who use your computer. This information allows ad networks to, among other things, deliver targeted advertisements that they believe will be of most interest to you. This privacy policy covers the use of cookies by me and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.
Third-party links
Occasionally, at my discretion, I may include or offer third-party products or services on my website. These third-party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. I, therefore, have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, I seek to protect the integrity of my site and welcome any feedback about these sites.
How Long I Keep Your Information
I will only keep your personal information for as long as it is necessary for the purposes set out in this privacy notice, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law (such as tax, accounting, or other legal requirements).
When I have no ongoing legitimate business need to process your personal information, I will either delete or anonymize such information, or if this is not possible (for example, because your personal information has been stored in backup archives), then I will securely store your personal information and isolate it from any further processing until deletion is possible.
How I Keep Your Information Safe
I have implemented appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect the security of any personal information I process. However, despite my safeguards and efforts to secure your information, no electronic transmission over the internet or information storage technology can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, so I cannot promise or guarantee that hackers, cybercriminals, or other unauthorized third parties will not be able to defeat my security, and improperly collect, access, steal, or modify your information. Although I will do my best to protect your personal information, transmission of personal information to and from livingfrugally.info is at your own risk. You should only access the website within a secure environment.
Information From Minors
I do not knowingly solicit data from or market to children under 18 years of age. By using livingfrugally.info, you represent that you are at least 18 or that you are the parent or guardian of such a minor and consent to such minor dependent’s use of the website. If I learn that personal information from users less than 18 years of age has been collected, I will take reasonable measures to promptly delete such data from my records. If you become aware of any data I may have collected from children under age 18, please contact me.
Privacy Policy Changes
Although most changes are likely to be minor, I may change my privacy policy from time to time and at my sole discretion. I encourage visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to my privacy policy. Your continued use of this site after any change in this privacy policy will constitute your acceptance of such change.
What Rights You Have Over Your Data
Based on the applicable laws of your country, you may have the right to request access to the personal information I collect from you, change that information, or delete it in some circumstances. This does not include any data I’m obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
To request to review, update, or delete your personal information, please fill out the form on my contact page. I will respond to your request within 30 days.