CalcCottage exists to give people the real number when other free-tool sites bury it. This page explains how that gets done — who writes the content, how we research, when it gets updated, and how you can flag a mistake.
Who writes and reviews
Meraj Uddin Provat — CalcCottage founder, CUNY Queens College Economics student transferring into Finance, and the person who writes, builds and reviews every calculator and guide on the site. Real name, real student, real day job — verifiable on LinkedIn. No anonymous "team."
How content is produced
- Every calculator’s math is derived from primary published formulas (standard amortization, future-value, payoff loops) — never copied from another site’s UI.
- Every guide is written from scratch, paragraph by paragraph. We do not republish, syndicate, or AI-generate articles wholesale.
- State-specific data (closing-cost rates, transfer taxes) is sourced from state or county documents, lender disclosures, and reputable consumer-finance references at the time of writing.
- Each calculator output explains what the number means, not just the number. The “Methodology” section at the bottom of every guide tells you exactly how it was computed.
How often content is updated
- Calculator math: reviewed every major formula change or annual tax-rule revision.
- State pages: reviewed when state transfer-tax or recording-fee rules are publicly updated.
- Guides: reviewed quarterly; out-of-date references are corrected or noted.
- Each page carries a “Last reviewed” date in the footer block. Anything older than 12 months is flagged for re-review.
Independence and disclosure
- CalcCottage is independently operated. No outside investors, no sponsorship, no paid recommendations.
- Display advertising (Google AdSense, once approved) is the only commercial relationship and never influences the calculator math or what gets explained.
- No affiliate links anywhere on the site at this time. If that ever changes, it will be disclosed clearly on the linking page and here.
Correcting a mistake
If you find an error — a wrong formula, an outdated state rate, a broken result — please tell us via the contact page. Confirmed errors are fixed within 5 business days. Significant corrections are noted in the page footer with the date and what changed.
Not financial advice
Every calculator on CalcCottage is educational and illustrative. The outputs are estimates for planning purposes, not a recommendation. For decisions that affect your money — borrowing, refinancing, investing, taxes — consult a qualified professional licensed in your jurisdiction.
Last reviewed: May 23, 2026 · Meraj Uddin Provat