Every ParentWorth article answers one question: is it worth it? This page explains how the numbers behind that answer are found, checked and kept up to date.
How a comparison is built
- Define the decision. One real choice parents face, with the options named clearly.
- State the assumptions. Family size, location, time period, prices used. They are listed in the article so you can replace them with your own.
- Count the full cost. Upfront prices, running costs, resale value and, where it matters, time and lost income.
- Give a verdict. Worth it means the option pays off for most readers. Not worth it means the cheaper or simpler option wins for most readers. It depends means the answer turns on one to three conditions, and the article names them.
- Write decision rules. Simple if-then rules you can apply to your own situation.
Where the numbers come from
Sources are chosen in this order:
- Primary and official sources: government statistics and program rules (for example the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS, Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics), official product and price pages, and peer-reviewed research.
- Reputable secondary sources: established research organizations and publications that show their methods.
- Commercial sources, such as a provider’s own price list, only for prices, and labelled as such. A business selling the product is never used as the only source for a claim about whether it is worth it.
Figures are for the United States unless the article says otherwise. Time-sensitive numbers, such as tax credits, contribution limits and average prices, are given with the year they apply to. Every article lists its sources at the end.
Rules ParentWorth follows
- No invented numbers, quotes or sources. If a figure can’t be verified, it isn’t published, or it is clearly marked as an estimate with its reasoning.
- Money only. Health, safety and values decisions belong to you and your doctor; articles say so where it matters.
- Verdicts are never for sale, and affiliate commissions never decide which option wins.
- AI tools help with research organization, drafting and checklists. Every article is reviewed by the author, and every figure is checked against its source before it is published.
Updates and corrections
Articles are reviewed when prices or rules change. When a correction is made, the article’s “Updated” date changes. To report an error, email hello@parentworth.com with the article and, if you have it, the source.
How ParentWorth makes money
ParentWorth is free to read and is supported by display ads and affiliate links. Ads are labelled “Advertisement”. Details are on the affiliate disclosure page.