Cookie Policy
Last Updated: January 2024
1. Introduction and Scope
Porch Grain ("we", "us", or "our") operates from Ottawa, Ontario. We are committed to transparency regarding how we collect and process data. This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website focused on Canadian FIRE analytics.
In Canada, the use of cookies is primarily governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Furthermore, as we provide global insights into safe withdrawal rates and tax optimization, we align our practices with the high standards of the GDPR where applicable to international users.
2. What are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) by your browser. They allow websites to remember your actions and preferences over a period of time, so you don’t have to keep re-entering them whenever you come back to the site or browse from one page to another.
Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining on your device after you close your browser) or "session" cookies (deleted as soon as you close your browser).
3. How We Use Cookies
Porch Grain uses cookies to enhance your experience, particularly when using our complex financial calculators for retirement projections. Specifically, we use them to:
- Ensure the technical functionality of the site.
- Analyze traffic patterns to improve our FIRE case studies and tax bracket data.
- Remember your preferred currency or regional settings (e.g., Ottawa vs. Alberta tax rates).
- Provide secure access to personalized retirement dashboards.
4. Categories of Cookies
| Category | Description | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Essential for the website to function. These cannot be switched off. They include session security and load balancing. | Session |
| Analytical/Performance | Help us understand how visitors interact with the 4% rule analytics by collecting anonymous data. | Up to 2 years |
| Functional | Remember choices you make (like sequence of returns risk inputs) to provide a personalized experience. | 1 year |
| Marketing/Targeting | Used to deliver relevant content regarding real estate metrics and portfolio allocation. | 6 months |
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Under PIPEDA and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) guidelines, we rely on implied or express consent for the use of non-essential cookies.
- Strictly Necessary: Processed based on the necessity to provide the requested service (Contractual necessity).
- Analytical and Marketing: We request your express consent via our cookie banner upon your first visit.
6. Third-Party Cookies
We may use third-party services such as Google Analytics to measure the performance of our content on Canadian tax brackets and health expenditure projections. These third parties may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies; please refer to the respective third-party privacy policies.
7. How to Manage Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer.
To opt-out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit: Google Analytics Opt-out.
8. Impact of Disabling Cookies
Please note that if you choose to reject cookies, you may still use our website though your access to some functionality and areas of our website (such as the interactive Safe Withdrawal Rate calculators) may be restricted.
9. Contact and Operator Information
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please contact the Data Privacy Officer at Porch Grain:
Porch Grain HQ
Address: 150 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4
Email:
Phone: +1 (376) 121-1021