Last updated: January 21, 2026

Your privacy matters here. Lifestepbystep.com is a calm, gentle space for women rebuilding their lives, and I want you to feel safe while you’re here. This Privacy Policy explains what information is collected, how it’s used, and the choices you have.

By using this website, you agree to the terms described below.

Cookie Consent

When you first visit this site, you’ll see a notice asking you to accept or decline cookies.

If you accept: The site will use all cookies described in Section 3 below (essential, analytics, and email/newsletter cookies).

If you decline: The site will only use essential cookies required for the site to function. Analytics and tracking cookies will be disabled.

You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site, or by adjusting your browser settings.

1. Information I Collect

a. Information You Provide Directly

You may choose to share information when you:

  • Leave a comment
  • Fill out a contact form
  • Subscribe to my newsletter
  • Email me directly

This may include your name, email address, and any message you choose to send.

b. Automatically Collected Information

When you visit this site, certain information is automatically collected, including:

  • IP address – Your device’s internet address
  • Browser type and version – What browser you’re using (Chrome, Safari, etc.)
  • Device information – Type of device (computer, phone, tablet)
  • Pages visited – Which pages you view and how long you stay
  • Referring website – Where you came from before arriving here
  • Date and time of visit – When you accessed the site
  • General location – City and country (not your exact address)

This information is collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 3 below).

This information is only collected if you accept cookies. If you decline cookies, only essential technical information needed for the site to function is collected.

2. How I Use Your Information

I use the information collected to:

  • Respond to your emails and comments – When you reach out, I want to respond
  • Send newsletters – If you subscribe, I’ll send you updates and helpful content (you can unsubscribe anytime)
  • Improve the website – Analytics help me understand what content is most helpful
  • Remember your cookie preferences – So I don’t ask you again every time you visit
  • Comply with legal obligations – As required by law

I will never sell your information. Your email address and personal information are safe with me.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your preferences and understand how you use the site.

What Cookies Does This Site Use?

If you ACCEPT cookies, this site uses:

Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be disabled.

  • WordPress cookies – Remember if you’re logged in, technical settings
  • Cookie consent preference – Remember your cookie choice so we don’t ask again
  • Security cookies – Protect against spam and malicious activity

Analytics Cookies (Optional – Only with Your Consent)

These help me understand how visitors use the site so I can improve it.

  • Google Analytics – Tracks pages visited, time spent, general location (city/country level), device type, how you found the site
  • Anonymous data only – Your IP address is anonymized
  • No personal identification – I can’t identify individual visitors

Email/Newsletter Cookies (Optional – Only with Your Consent)

These help manage newsletter functionality.

  • ConvertKit cookies – Track if you’ve subscribed, opened emails, or clicked links
  • Form cookies – Remember if you’ve already signed up so you don’t see the same form repeatedly

Future Affiliate Cookies (Optional – Only with Your Consent)

When I join affiliate programs:

  • Amazon Associates cookies – Track purchases made through my affiliate links
  • Other affiliate cookies – Track referrals and purchases through other affiliate programs

If you DECLINE cookies:

  • Only essential cookies will be used
  • Analytics tracking will be disabled
  • Email tracking will be limited to basic subscription management
  • Affiliate tracking will not function (you can still use the links, but I won’t receive credit)

Your Cookie Choices

Cookie Consent Popup: When you first visit this site, you’ll see a popup asking you to Accept or Decline cookies. Your choice will be saved for 12 months.

To change your choice:

  • Clear your browser cookies and revisit the site
  • Or use your browser settings to delete the “cookie_consent” cookie
  • The popup will appear again and you can make a new choice

Browser Settings: You can also control cookies directly through your browser:

  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Delete cookies after you close your browser
  • View and delete individual cookies

Browser-specific instructions:

  • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
  • Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies
  • Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies
  • Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions

To opt out of Google Analytics specifically: Visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout and install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Note: If you disable all cookies, some features of the site may not work properly (like staying logged in to leave comments).

4. Third-Party Services

I use trusted third-party services to operate this site. These services may collect and process your information according to their own privacy policies.

These services only receive data if you accept cookies (except for essential hosting services).

Services I Use:

Bluehost (Hosting Provider) – Always Active

  • Hosts this website and stores content
  • May collect server logs and technical information for security and performance
  • Essential for the site to function
  • Privacy Policy: https://www.bluehost.com/privacy

ConvertKit (Email Service Provider) – Active with Consent

  • Manages email newsletter subscriptions
  • Stores your email address and name (if provided)
  • Tracks email opens and clicks (if you accept cookies)
  • Privacy Policy: https://convertkit.com/privacy

Google Analytics (Website Analytics) – Active Only with Consent

WordPress (Content Management System) – Always Active

Future Services:

Amazon Associates (Affiliate Program) – Active Only with Consent (When I Join)

Other Affiliate Programs – Active Only with Consent

  • Future affiliate programs may use cookies to track referrals and purchases
  • Only function if you accept cookies
  • I will update this policy when I add new programs

Etsy (for paid products when available) – Active Only When You Purchase

I will update this policy when I add new services.

5. How I Protect Your Information

I take reasonable precautions to protect your information, including:

  • SSL Certificate – Secure connection (the “https” in the URL)
  • Secure hosting – Bluehost provides security measures
  • Limited access – Only I have access to personal information
  • Regular updates – Keeping software and security up to date
  • Reputable service providers – Using trusted third parties with strong security
  • Minimal data collection – Only collecting what’s necessary

However, no method of internet transmission is 100% secure. While I strive to protect your information, I cannot guarantee absolute security.

What you can do:

  • Use strong passwords if you create an account
  • Don’t share sensitive information in comments or emails
  • Be cautious about what personal information you share

6. Sharing Your Information

I do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. Ever.

I may share your information only in these limited circumstances:

With Service Providers (Only as Necessary) Third-party services like ConvertKit, Bluehost, and Google Analytics need access to specific information to provide their services. They’re contractually obligated to keep your information secure and not use it for their own purposes.

For Legal Reasons If required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect my rights, safety, or the safety of others.

With Your Consent If you explicitly agree to share your information for a specific purpose (like a joint webinar with another teacher).

Business Transfer If Life Step by Step is sold or merged with another business, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You would be notified of any such change.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access Your Information

You can request to see what personal information I have about you.

Correct Your Information

If your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request corrections.

Delete Your Information

You can request that I delete your personal information. Some exceptions apply for:

  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Completing transactions you’ve requested
  • Detecting and preventing fraud
  • Backup archives (which are automatically deleted after a set period)

Export Your Information

You can request a copy of your personal information in a portable format.

Opt Out of Emails

Every newsletter includes an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom. Click it and you’ll be immediately removed from the list. You can also email me at joann@lifestepbystep.com to unsubscribe.

Change Cookie Preferences

You can change your cookie consent by:

  • Clearing your cookies and revisiting the site
  • Adjusting your browser settings
  • Using the opt-out tools mentioned in Section 3

Object to Processing

You can object to how I’m using your information for certain purposes.

How to Exercise These Rights

Email me at joann@lifestepbystep.com with your request. Please include:

  • Your name and email address
  • What right you want to exercise
  • Any relevant details

I’ll respond within 30 days.

8. Children’s Privacy

This site is not intended for children under 13 years of age.

I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you’re under 13, please don’t use this site or provide any information.

If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information to this site, please contact me at joann@lifestepbystep.com immediately so I can delete it.

Parents/Guardians: If you discover your child has provided information without your consent, contact me and I will promptly delete it.

9. International Visitors & GDPR Compliance

This site is operated from the United States. If you’re visiting from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from your country.

For European Union (EU) and UK Visitors:

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR, you have these rights:

Your GDPR Rights:

  • Right to access – See what data I have about you
  • Right to rectification – Correct inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure – Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Right to restrict processing – Limit how I use your data
  • Right to data portability – Receive your data in a portable format
  • Right to object – Object to certain types of processing
  • Rights related to automated decision-making – Not to be subject to solely automated decisions

Legal Basis for Processing Your Data:

  • Consent – When you subscribe to newsletters, accept cookies, or submit forms (you can withdraw consent anytime)
  • Legitimate Interests – To operate and improve the website, prevent fraud, maintain security
  • Contractual Necessity – To fulfill services you’ve requested (like sending a newsletter you signed up for)
  • Legal Obligations – When required by law

Data Transfers: When your data is transferred to the U.S., I ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through service providers who comply with GDPR (like Google and ConvertKit).

To Exercise Your GDPR Rights: Email joann@lifestepbystep.com with your request. I’ll respond within 30 days (or 60 days for complex requests).

Supervisory Authority: If you’re in the EU/UK and believe your data protection rights have been violated, you can lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

10. Data Retention

How long I keep your information:

Email Addresses (Newsletter Subscribers)

  • Kept as long as you’re subscribed
  • When you unsubscribe: removed from active mailing lists within 48 hours
  • Backup archives: may contain your email for up to 30 days, then automatically deleted
  • If you request deletion: removed within 30 days from all systems

Analytics Data (Google Analytics)

  • Retained for 26 months (Google’s default)
  • After 26 months: automatically deleted
  • IP addresses: anonymized immediately
  • If you decline cookies: analytics data is not collected

Comments on Blog Posts

  • Retained indefinitely unless you request deletion
  • Includes name, email, comment text, timestamp
  • If requested: deleted within 30 days

Contact Form Messages

  • Retained for 90 days or until I’ve responded and resolved your inquiry
  • Then deleted unless there’s a specific reason to keep (like ongoing conversation)
  • If requested: deleted immediately

Cookie Consent Records

  • Your cookie preference: stored for 12 months
  • After 12 months: you’ll see the consent popup again

Purchase Records (Future – When Selling on Etsy)

  • Transaction records: kept for 7 years (legal/tax requirement)
  • Purchase information: kept as long as needed to fulfill service
  • After fulfillment: retained for legal/accounting purposes only

11. Your California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you’re a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Your CCPA Rights:

  • Right to Know – What personal information I collect and how I use it
  • Right to Delete – Request deletion of your personal information
  • Right to Opt-Out – Opt out of the “sale” of personal information (I don’t sell information, so this doesn’t apply)
  • Right to Non-Discrimination – Equal service even if you exercise your privacy rights

Categories of Information I Collect:

  • Identifiers (name, email, IP address)
  • Internet activity (pages visited, clicks)
  • Geolocation data (general city/country)

How to Exercise Your CCPA Rights: Email joann@lifestepbystep.com with “California Privacy Rights” in the subject line.

I do not sell your personal information and have not sold it in the past 12 months.

12. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals websites you don’t want to be tracked.

Current status: There’s no universal standard for how to respond to DNT signals. This site does not currently respond to DNT signals.

However: You can decline cookies using the cookie consent popup, which has a similar effect to DNT for this site specifically.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in how I collect or use information
  • New features or services
  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Improvements to protect your privacy

When I make changes:

  • The “Last updated” date at the top will change
  • The new policy will be posted on this page
  • For significant changes: I’ll notify you via email (if you’re subscribed) or with a prominent notice on the site

After changes are posted:

  • Your continued use of the site means you accept the updated policy
  • If you don’t agree with changes, please stop using the site and contact me to delete your information

You can always view the current policy on this page.

14. Contact Me

Questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your personal information?

Email: joann@lifestepbystep.com

Response time: I’ll do my best to respond within 30 days (or sooner for urgent matters).

What to include in your email:

  • Your name and email address
  • What you’re requesting (access, deletion, correction, etc.)
  • Any relevant details to help me locate your information

I’m here to help and take your privacy seriously.

15. Consent

By using this website, you consent to this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.

Your consent includes:

  • Agreement to the cookie policy (based on your Accept/Decline choice)
  • Agreement to the data collection practices described here
  • Understanding of your rights and how to exercise them
  • Acknowledgment that I may update this policy and will notify you of changes

You can withdraw consent at any time by:

  • Unsubscribing from emails
  • Declining cookies
  • Requesting deletion of your data
  • Stopping use of the site

This Privacy Policy is effective as of January 21, 2026.