Skip to Main Content

Budgeting basics

A budget is a spending plan that helps you understand how much money you're making and where you're spending it. A budget is the cornerstone of a strong financial plan.

Budgeting tips

A couple budgets together.
Bankrate offers 18 ideas for stretching your budget to save money.
Young man working on finances at home. He has a laptop open and is using a calculator.
If your discretionary income is low, you could pay $0 on your federal student loans.
Woman sitting on a sofa looking at her laptop
Our guide tackles the basics of disposable income and how you can use it to budget.

Calculate your savings

Use our Savings Calculator to help you quickly and accurately estimate the growth of your investment. Set a goal and figure out how much you need to save each month to hit the mark.

Latest articles

A large pile of cash next to a padlock
A one-year CD can be a safe and worthwhile option, especially turning to high-yielding online banks or credit unions.
A graph showing an upward trend from 2025 to 2026. The trendline is made of cash
If you have $10,000 to invest in a CD right now, here’s how much you could earn.
Illustration of cash under a beach umbrella
Here’s how much $10,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.
A person takes a picture of a check.
Depositing a check using a smartphone is easy and can save you a trip to the bank.
Young woman using an ATM
Here’s how to find the nearest ATM in MoneyPass’s fee-free ATM network.
Fantasy image of a robot hand holding a phone with real cash falling out of the screen
For many of us, saving money feels like an uphill battle.
a chase bank in washington dc
Looking for a nearby Chase Bank location or ATM? Here’s how to find the closest ones.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a news conference.
Rates are falling, and finance pros say it may be time for Americans to rethink some strategies.
Person shopping at grocery store choosing oranges in the supermarket
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
Illustration of construction workers on a roof
An emergency fund is an essential part of a solid financial plan.
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
Man using cell phone in living room
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
illustration of money growing on trees
Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
Calendar of 2023
Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
young woman smiling on city sidewalk
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
Young woman using a laptop with credit card while relaxing at home
Financial goals are measuring sticks that apply to any area of your money management skills that you’re looking to improve.
headshot of Greg McBride
It’s easy to open a savings account. Just make sure you have this information handy.
People walking back and forth in front of Capital One Bank entrance.
A CFPB lawsuit claims Capital One underpaid savings account interest by $2 billion.
A graphic of origami of a dollar bill folded to look like a piggy bank with a penny on top.
Expect savings and money market account yields to slide lower, but they still should outpace inflation
Pink piggy bank stuffed with dollar bills
Even as interest rates drop, some top-yielding savings accounts remain competitive.
Calendar of 2023
Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
A woman shopping during the holiday season.
These holiday savings accounts are still available at many small banks and credit unions. But are they the best way to save?
The Treasury building.
The best time to cash in savings bonds depends on an investor’s life circumstances.
Female patient paying with credit card at doctor's office front desk
Here’s what you need to know about upcoming changes to Health Savings Accounts.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc