/* ==========================================================================
   GoLowerBills.com - shared stylesheet
   Palette: Trust Blue + Action Orange (orange = complement of blue)
   Fonts: web-safe / system only (no external dependencies)
   ========================================================================== */

:root{
  --ink:#0A2540;        /* deep navy - headings & body text            */
  --ink-soft:#33455C;   /* secondary text                              */
  --muted:#5A6B82;      /* captions, meta                              */
  --blue:#1456B8;       /* trust blue - brand, links                   */
  --blue-700:#0E3E86;   /* darker blue - hover, hero                   */
  --blue-900:#0A2C63;   /* deepest blue band                           */
  --blue-050:#EEF4FC;   /* tint background                             */
  --orange:#FF6A1A;     /* action orange - primary CTA                 */
  --orange-600:#E85B0E; /* orange hover                                */
  --orange-050:#FFF1E8; /* orange tint                                 */
  --bg:#FFFFFF;
  --surface:#F4F7FB;    /* cool light section background               */
  --border:#E2E8F0;
  --border-strong:#CBD5E1;
  --good:#1E8E5A;
  --shadow-sm:0 1px 2px rgba(10,37,64,.06), 0 1px 3px rgba(10,37,64,.08);
  --shadow-md:0 4px 14px rgba(10,37,64,.10);
  --shadow-lg:0 12px 32px rgba(10,37,64,.14);
  --radius:12px;
  --radius-lg:18px;
  --maxw:1080px;
  --measure:680px;     /* article reading column                      */
  --serif:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Arial,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;
  --sans:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,"Segoe UI",Roboto,Arial,"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;
}

*,*::before,*::after{box-sizing:border-box}
html{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;scroll-behavior:smooth}
body{
  margin:0;
  font-family:var(--sans);
  color:var(--ink);
  background:var(--bg);
  font-size:17px;
  line-height:1.65;
  -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;
}
img{max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block}
a{color:var(--blue);text-decoration:none}
a:hover{text-decoration:underline}

.wrap{max-width:var(--maxw);margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- header */
.site-header{
  position:sticky;top:0;z-index:50;
  background:rgba(255,255,255,.96);
  backdrop-filter:saturate(140%) blur(6px);
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);
}
.header-inner{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:24px;height:70px}
.brand{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:0;flex:0 0 auto}
.brand img{height:44px;width:auto}
.brand:hover{text-decoration:none}
.header-cta{
  margin-left:auto;flex:0 0 auto;
  background:var(--orange);color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:15px;
  padding:11px 20px;border-radius:9px;white-space:nowrap;box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm);
}
.header-cta:hover{background:var(--orange-600);color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
.nav-toggle{display:none}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- hero */
.hero{
  background:linear-gradient(155deg,var(--blue-900) 0%,var(--blue-700) 55%,var(--blue) 100%);
  color:#fff;position:relative;overflow:hidden;
}
.hero::after{
  content:"";position:absolute;right:-120px;top:-120px;width:420px;height:420px;
  background:radial-gradient(circle,rgba(255,106,26,.30),transparent 62%);
  pointer-events:none;
}
.hero-inner{padding:64px 20px 70px;max-width:var(--maxw);margin:0 auto;position:relative;text-align:center}
.hero .eyebrow{
  display:inline-block;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;
  font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;color:#FFD8BF;margin-bottom:16px;
}
.hero h1{
  font-family:var(--serif);font-weight:700;line-height:1.1;
  font-size:clamp(31px,5vw,50px);margin:0 auto 16px;max-width:18ch;letter-spacing:-.01em;
}
.hero p{font-size:clamp(16px,2.2vw,20px);max-width:54ch;color:#DCE7F7;margin:0 auto 28px}
.hero-cta{display:flex;gap:14px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center}

.btn{
  display:inline-block;font-family:var(--sans);font-weight:700;font-size:16px;
  padding:14px 26px;border-radius:10px;border:0;cursor:pointer;
  transition:transform .08s ease, background .15s ease;text-align:center;
}
.btn:hover{text-decoration:none;transform:translateY(-1px)}
.btn-orange{background:var(--orange);color:#fff;box-shadow:var(--shadow-md)}
.btn-orange:hover{background:var(--orange-600);color:#fff}
.btn-ghost{background:transparent;color:#fff;border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,.55)}
.btn-ghost:hover{background:rgba(255,255,255,.12);color:#fff}
.btn-block{display:block;width:100%}
.hero small{display:block;margin-top:14px;color:#AFC4E6;font-size:13px}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- sections */
.section{padding:58px 0}
.section.tint{background:var(--surface)}
.section-head{max-width:var(--maxw);margin:0 auto 30px;padding:0 20px}
.section-head .eyebrow{
  display:inline-block;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;
  font-size:12.5px;font-weight:800;color:var(--orange-600);margin-bottom:8px;
}
.section-head h2{
  font-family:var(--serif);font-size:clamp(25px,3.4vw,34px);font-weight:700;
  margin:0 0 8px;letter-spacing:-.01em;line-height:1.15;
}
.section-head p{color:var(--muted);margin:0;max-width:60ch}
.section-head .more{font-weight:700;font-size:15px}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- card grid */
.card-grid{
  max-width:var(--maxw);margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px;
  display:grid;gap:22px;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);
}
.card-grid.two{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}
.card{
  background:var(--bg);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-lg);
  overflow:hidden;box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm);transition:transform .12s ease,box-shadow .12s ease;
  display:flex;flex-direction:column;
}
.card:hover{transform:translateY(-3px);box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg)}
.card a{text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:flex;flex-direction:column;height:100%}
.card-media{
  aspect-ratio:16/9;width:100%;
  background:var(--blue-050);
  position:relative;overflow:hidden;
}
.card-media img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;display:block;transition:transform .3s ease}
.card:hover .card-media img{transform:scale(1.04)}
.card-media.home{background:#0E3E86}
.card-media .tag{
  position:absolute;top:12px;left:12px;background:rgba(255,255,255,.92);color:var(--blue-700);
  font-size:11.5px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase;
  padding:5px 10px;border-radius:6px;
}
.card-media .glyph{font-family:var(--serif);color:rgba(255,255,255,.92);font-weight:700;
  font-size:15px;padding:14px 16px;line-height:1.25}
.card-body{padding:18px 20px 22px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;flex:1}
.card-body .kicker{font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--orange-600)}
.card-body h3{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:20px;line-height:1.25;margin:0;font-weight:700}
.card-body p{color:var(--muted);font-size:15px;margin:0}
.card-body .read{margin-top:auto;color:var(--blue);font-weight:700;font-size:14.5px;padding-top:6px}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- trust bar */
.trustbar{background:var(--blue-050);border-top:1px solid var(--border);border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)}
.trustbar .wrap{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:14px 34px;padding-top:18px;padding-bottom:18px;justify-content:center}
.trustbar .item{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px;color:var(--ink-soft)}
.trustbar .dot{width:9px;height:9px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--orange);flex:0 0 auto}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- article */
.article{padding:34px 0 10px}
.breadcrumb{max-width:var(--measure);margin:0 auto 18px;padding:0 20px;font-size:13.5px;color:var(--muted)}
.breadcrumb a{color:var(--muted);font-weight:600}
.breadcrumb a:hover{color:var(--blue)}
.article-head{max-width:var(--measure);margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px}
.article-head .kicker{
  display:inline-block;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12.5px;
  font-weight:800;color:var(--orange-600);margin-bottom:12px;
}
.article-head h1{
  font-family:var(--serif);font-weight:700;line-height:1.14;letter-spacing:-.01em;
  font-size:clamp(28px,4.4vw,42px);margin:0 0 14px;
}
.article-head .standfirst{font-size:19px;color:var(--ink-soft);margin:0 0 18px;line-height:1.55}
.byline{
  display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;
  font-size:13.5px;color:var(--muted);padding:14px 0;border-top:1px solid var(--border);
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);margin-bottom:8px;
}
.byline .av{width:34px;height:34px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--blue);color:#fff;
  display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-weight:800;font-size:14px}
.byline strong{color:var(--ink)}
.byline .ad{margin-left:auto;background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border);
  border-radius:6px;padding:3px 9px;font-size:11.5px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.04em;
  text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--muted)}

.article-hero{
  max-width:var(--measure);margin:24px auto;padding:0 20px;
}
.article-hero img{
  width:100%;aspect-ratio:1200/630;object-fit:cover;display:block;
  border-radius:var(--radius-lg);box-shadow:var(--shadow-md);
}
/* any image placed inside article body text stays centered + within the column */
.prose img{display:block;max-width:100%;margin:18px auto;border-radius:12px}

.prose{max-width:var(--measure);margin:0 auto;padding:8px 20px 0}
.prose p{margin:0 0 18px}
.prose h2{
  font-family:var(--serif);font-size:clamp(22px,3vw,28px);font-weight:700;line-height:1.2;
  margin:38px 0 14px;letter-spacing:-.005em;scroll-margin-top:84px;
}
.prose h3{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:21px;font-weight:700;margin:28px 0 10px}
.prose ul,.prose ol{margin:0 0 20px;padding-left:22px}
.prose li{margin:0 0 9px}
.prose strong{color:var(--ink);font-weight:700}
.prose a{font-weight:600;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(20,86,184,.25)}
.prose a:hover{border-bottom-color:var(--blue);text-decoration:none}
.prose blockquote{
  margin:26px 0;padding:16px 22px;border-left:4px solid var(--orange);
  background:var(--orange-050);border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;font-size:18px;color:var(--ink);
}
.prose blockquote p:last-child{margin:0}
.key-takeaway{
  background:var(--blue-050);border:1px solid #D6E4F7;border-radius:var(--radius);
  padding:18px 22px;margin:26px 0;
}
.key-takeaway h4{margin:0 0 8px;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--blue-700)}
.key-takeaway ul{margin:0;padding-left:20px}
.key-takeaway li{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:15.5px}

/* inline CTA module (the signature element) */
.cta-module{
  max-width:var(--measure);margin:34px auto;padding:0 20px;
}
.cta-card{
  background:linear-gradient(150deg,var(--blue-900),var(--blue-700));
  border-radius:var(--radius-lg);padding:28px 26px;color:#fff;box-shadow:var(--shadow-md);
  position:relative;overflow:hidden;
}
.cta-card::after{content:"";position:absolute;right:-60px;bottom:-60px;width:220px;height:220px;
  background:radial-gradient(circle,rgba(255,106,26,.34),transparent 64%)}
.cta-card .ey{font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#FFD8BF}
.cta-card h3{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:24px;margin:8px 0 8px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.2;position:relative}
.cta-card p{color:#DCE7F7;margin:0 0 18px;font-size:15.5px;position:relative}
.cta-card .btn{position:relative}

/* related links */
.related{max-width:var(--measure);margin:40px auto 0;padding:24px 20px 0;border-top:1px solid var(--border)}
.related h4{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:20px;margin:0 0 14px}
.related ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;display:grid;gap:10px}
.related li a{display:flex;gap:10px;align-items:baseline;font-weight:600;color:var(--ink);
  padding:10px 14px;border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:10px;transition:border-color .12s,background .12s}
.related li a:hover{border-color:var(--blue);background:var(--blue-050);text-decoration:none}
.related li a .arr{color:var(--orange);font-weight:800;flex:0 0 auto}

/* disclosure box inside article */
.disclosure-inline{
  max-width:var(--measure);margin:30px auto 0;padding:14px 20px;
  font-size:12.5px;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.5;
}
.disclosure-inline .wrap2{background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:10px;padding:14px 16px}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- category page */
.cat-hero{background:var(--surface);border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)}
.cat-hero .wrap{padding:46px 20px 40px;text-align:center}
.cat-hero .eyebrow{letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12.5px;font-weight:800;color:var(--orange-600)}
.cat-hero h1{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:clamp(30px,4.6vw,44px);font-weight:700;margin:8px 0 12px;line-height:1.12}
.cat-hero p{color:var(--ink-soft);max-width:64ch;font-size:18px;margin:0 auto}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- legal page */
.legal{max-width:760px;margin:0 auto;padding:40px 20px 20px}
.legal h1{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:clamp(28px,4vw,38px);margin:0 0 6px}
.legal .updated{color:var(--muted);font-size:13.5px;margin:0 0 26px}
.legal h2{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:23px;margin:30px 0 10px}
.legal p,.legal li{color:var(--ink-soft)}
.legal ul{padding-left:22px}
.legal li{margin-bottom:8px}
.legal a{font-weight:600}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- footer */
.site-footer{background:var(--blue-900);color:#C7D6EE;margin-top:60px}
.footer-top{max-width:var(--maxw);margin:0 auto;padding:48px 20px 28px;
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr;gap:34px}
.footer-brand img{height:28px;margin-bottom:14px;filter:brightness(0) invert(1)}
.footer-brand p{font-size:14px;color:#9FB6D8;max-width:34ch;margin:0}
.footer-col h5{color:#fff;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 14px}
.footer-col ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;display:grid;gap:9px}
.footer-col a{color:#C7D6EE;font-size:14.5px}
.footer-col a:hover{color:#fff}
.footer-legal{border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.12)}
.footer-legal .wrap{padding:22px 20px 40px}
.footer-legal .disclaimer{font-size:12px;color:#8FA7CC;line-height:1.6;margin:0 0 14px}
.footer-legal .row{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px 18px;align-items:center;font-size:13px}
.footer-legal .row a{color:#9FB6D8;font-weight:600}
.footer-legal .row .copy{margin-left:auto;color:#7E97BE}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- utilities */
.center{text-align:center}
.mt0{margin-top:0}
.sr-only{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);border:0}

/* --------------------------------------------------------------- responsive */
@media (max-width:860px){
  .card-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}
  .footer-top{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:26px}
  .footer-brand{grid-column:1 / -1}
}
@media (max-width:680px){
  body{font-size:16.5px}
  .header-inner{height:62px;gap:12px}
  .brand img{height:36px}
  .header-cta{padding:9px 15px;font-size:14px}
  .card-grid,.card-grid.two{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .hero-inner{padding:48px 20px 52px}
  .hero-cta .btn{width:100%}
  .section{padding:44px 0}
  .footer-top{grid-template-columns:1fr}
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){
  *{animation:none!important;transition:none!important;scroll-behavior:auto!important}
}
:focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--orange);outline-offset:2px;border-radius:4px}