How we work.
Methodology is what separates a tool you can trust from a tool that just looks trustworthy. This page documents the standards Casina applies across every platform we build.
Our principles
1. Primary sources only.
We work from original data — Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census, IRS, CFPB, peer-reviewed journals. We don't repackage what other sites published. When a primary source isn't available for a specific question, we say so.
2. Sources are named and dated.
Every figure on every Casina platform is traceable to a specific publication and a specific date. If a number is six months old because that's when the data was last released, the page says so.
3. Math is verified, not just written.
Every calculation engine is tested against expected outputs before it ships. Edge cases are tested explicitly. When math validators are part of a platform's editorial process, they're named publicly.
4. Tools are descriptive, not prescriptive.
Casina platforms model outcomes. They don't tell users what to do. The line between "here's what the data shows" and "here's what you should do" is the difference between a tool and a sales pitch. We stay on the right side of that line.
5. User data stays with the user.
Our calculators run client-side wherever possible. We don't store the inputs users put into our tools. Where authentication or saved-state features exist, they're opt-in and disclosed.
6. Editorial independence is non-negotiable.
Some of our platforms accept advertising or affiliate revenue. None of our content, calculations, or recommendations are influenced by who pays us. Sponsored placements, where they exist, are marked clearly. We refuse partnerships that require editorial control.
Review and validation
Editorial review at Casina is platform-specific. Different platforms address different domains, and reviewers are matched to subject matter rather than serving as company-wide approvers.
Where we use external reviewers, we name them publicly on the relevant platform. This matters: a reviewer who isn't named is a reviewer who isn't accountable.
For specific reviewer credentials and roles, see each platform's editorial page:
How we update
Data refreshes.
Numbers tied to government data — interest rates, tax brackets, inflation indices — refresh on a documented schedule, typically weekly for rate-sensitive figures and annually for IRS publications. Each platform publishes its own update cadence.
Methodology revisions.
When we change how a tool calculates something — not just the inputs, but the logic — we document the change and the reasoning. Significant methodology revisions are dated and preserved.
Corrections.
When we get something wrong, we fix it and note what we fixed. Corrections live publicly on the affected page rather than being silently overwritten.
What our tools are not.
Not licensed financial advice.
Casina is not a registered investment advisor. Our calculators and models inform decisions; they don't replace personalized advice from a licensed professional in your specific situation.
Not legal or tax advice.
Tax calculators reflect published IRS and state tables. They're estimates, not filings. For your specific situation, work with a CPA or tax professional.
Not therapy or medical advice.
Where our platforms touch on medical or psychological domains, we provide informational frameworks — not diagnoses, treatment, or clinical guidance.
When in doubt, consult a qualified professional.