Guides
Free plain-English walk-throughs of the stuff our tools analyze. Read any of these to understand the basics — or skip straight to the $9.99 analyzer if you just want a verdict on your specific document.
Jun 10, 2026
Subscription auto-renewal traps: how to spot and cancel them
Auto-renewing subscriptions cost consumers an average of $200+ per year in unintended charges. Here's how to identify renewal traps in terms of service, cancel effectively, and dispute charges.
Jun 10, 2026
Storage unit lease red flags: what to check before you rent
Storage unit leases allow rent increases, lien sales, and insurance gaps that most renters don't know about. Here are 7 terms to review before signing a storage agreement.
Jun 10, 2026
Moving company contract red flags: 7 terms to check before moving day
Moving company scams often start with a low estimate and end with a bill 2-3x higher. Here are 7 contract terms that signal a problem, and what legitimate movers include.
Jun 10, 2026
Medical bill dispute rights: how to challenge charges you don't owe
Up to 80% of medical bills contain errors. Here's how to request an itemized bill, identify common mistakes, dispute charges, and negotiate balances you genuinely owe.
Jun 10, 2026
Auto loan agreement red flags: what to check before you sign
Auto loan contracts hide fees in payment tables and financing add-ons. Here are the 8 things to check in an auto loan agreement before you drive off the lot.
Jun 5, 2026
What Is an NDA? Plain-English Guide (Verify SERP DA first)
A plain-English explanation of what a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is, the three main types (unilateral, bilateral, multilateral), what an NDA actually does, when you'll be asked to sign one, what's enforceable, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Jun 3, 2026
Timeshare contract red flags (and how to exit)
The 7 red flags in timeshare contracts most buyers miss, what 'right of rescission' means, and why exit companies charge thousands to do what you can do for free.
Jun 3, 2026
Personal loan agreement: terms to check before signing
The 7 terms in a personal loan agreement that determine your total cost -- APR vs interest rate, origination fees, prepayment penalties, and the difference between fixed and variable rate.
Jun 3, 2026
Home improvement contractor contract: 8 clauses to review
What a legitimate home improvement contract should include, 8 clauses that protect you, and 5 red flags that signal a contractor who plans to cut corners or overcharge.
Jun 3, 2026
Cell phone carrier contract: what you're actually signing
What a carrier service agreement actually commits you to in 2026 -- device financing terms, early termination, data throttling, and the forced arbitration clause everyone misses.
Jun 3, 2026
Car purchase contract: what to check before you sign
The 8 things to verify in a car purchase contract before signing -- including spot delivery traps, add-on fees, and what 'subject to financing' actually means.
May 13, 2026
Non-compete clause explained: what it restricts, what's enforceable, and how to negotiate
A plain-English explanation of non-compete clauses in 2026 — what they actually restrict, which states enforce them, how courts interpret vague language, and what to push for before you sign.
May 13, 2026
Employment contract red flags in 2026: clauses to question before day one
The employment contract red flags that matter most in 2026 — clauses in offer letters, employment agreements, and onboarding paperwork that limit your rights, restrict your future, or give the employer disproportionate power.
May 13, 2026
Before signing any contract: a 10-item checklist for 2026
The 10 things to check before signing any contract — employment agreements, leases, service contracts, or freelance agreements. Covers the clauses that most often go wrong and what to do when you can't get a lawyer.
May 12, 2026
Offer letter red flags in 2026: the 9 clauses to check before signing
A complete checklist of the 9 most common offer-letter clauses that quietly transfer risk to new employees in 2026, with fair versions, predatory versions, and counter-language for each.
May 12, 2026
NDA explained (2026): what it actually says, when to sign, and what to negotiate
A complete 2026 guide to non-disclosure agreements — the four common types, the clauses that quietly expand scope, what's enforceable vs. what isn't, and the specific redline language to propose for one-sided NDAs.
May 12, 2026
Independent contractor vs. W-2 in 2026: which to negotiate for and what each costs you
A complete breakdown of independent contractor (1099) vs. employee (W-2) classification in 2026 — the legal tests, tax implications, benefit differences, and the dollar math that determines which is actually better for a given role.
May 12, 2026
Gym membership cancellation rights in 2026: what your state requires gyms to honor
A complete 2026 guide to gym membership cancellation rights — state cooling-off period laws, medical and military cancellation rights, the contract clauses gyms use to make cancellation hard, and the specific steps to enforce your rights.
May 12, 2026
Apartment lease red flags in 2026: the 11 clauses landlords hide
A complete checklist of the 11 most expensive apartment lease clauses tenants miss — early termination fees, automatic renewal at higher rent, joint-and-several liability, security-deposit forfeiture, and more — with the counter-language for each.
Apr 26, 2026
How to negotiate a severance package (2026): scripts, clause-by-clause review, and a counter-offer template
A 2026 playbook for negotiating severance — what to negotiate (it's not just the dollar amount), the 21/45-day OWBPA window for age 40+, the seven clauses that hide the worst surprises, and a counter-offer letter template you can adapt.
Apr 22, 2026
Should I Sign a Non-Compete? (5 Questions to Ask First)
Should I sign a non-compete? Learn what non-competes actually restrict, which states ban them, how to negotiate better terms, and what happens if you sign and then leave.
Apr 15, 2026
The 11 contract clauses that cost freelancers and renters the most money in 2026
Every year, workers and renters sign contracts that quietly transfer ownership, auto-renew at higher rates, or waive legal protections. Here are the 11 clauses worth understanding before you sign — and questions to discuss with an attorney.
Apr 13, 2026
Every contract clause you should never sign without reading (2026)
A clause-by-clause field guide to the eleven contract terms that quietly transfer risk, money, or rights away from you — with fair versions, predatory versions, and real-world examples of each.
Apr 9, 2026
Should I sign this lease? 9 clauses to check before you do
Leases are full of small clauses that compound into thousands of dollars in surprise costs. Here are the nine specific things to check before you sign any residential lease.
Apr 9, 2026
7 red flags in a freelance contract that will cost you later
The specific clauses that show up in freelance agreements and quietly transfer all the risk to you. With the counter-language to propose for each.