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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.
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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

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A one-year CD can be a safe and worthwhile option, especially turning to high-yielding online banks or credit unions.
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Depositing a check using a smartphone is easy and can save you a trip to the bank.
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For many of us, saving money feels like an uphill battle.
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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.
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It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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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.
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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.
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Best high-yield savings rates today
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Best high-yield savings rates for August 6, 2025
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Some items are good candidates for storage in a safe deposit box, but others aren’t.
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Best high-yield savings rate today.
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Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of Aug 4, 2025.
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An emergency fund is an essential part of a solid financial plan.
If you’re looking to become a better saver, here are some tips for setting savings goals.
Fragments of five $100 bills showing Benjamin Franklin's face five times in a diamond shape.
Despite political pressure to cut rates, the Fed looks to keep them steady, for now.
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