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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 savings account can be a great tool to teach your child about money. Here are a few of our favorites.
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Looking for a nearby Truist Bank location or ATM? Here’s how to find the closest ones.
Currently, you can lock in annual percentage yields (APYs) on certificates of deposit (CDs) at and slightly above 4% with many nationally available CDs. Only a select few financial institutions offer promotional [...]
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Checking and savings accounts are different. Should you have one, the other — or both?
These expert tips can help keep your bank and financial accounts safe from hackers.
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Depositing cash into someone’s account isn’t always possible, but there are options.
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Learn why a bank could close your account and what to about it.
Man using cell phone in living room
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
Man using cell phone in living room
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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.
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.
Young mother with toddler
High-yield savings accounts remain a strong option for savers…for now.
Illustrated by Bankrate
Big banks pay just 0.01% APY while online banks offer 4.4%. Your $10,000 could earn $897 more over two years. Learn how to switch without changing banks.
Young business woman working at the office on a laptop
Here’s a guide to saving $10,000 in one year to make yourself more financially secure.
Conceptual image of several $100 bills arranged as wallpaper with a red necktie suggesting Donald Trump.
Bankrate recaps the week in savings accounts and analyzes where rates are headed.
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Getting into the habit of paying yourself first is hard. Here are some ideas to help you start.
Man using his tablet for online banking
Financial markets may drop lower, but APYs on high-yield savings remain high.
Illustration of safe with money
If you have over $25,000 in your savings account, consider these strategies.
Image by Getty Images, Illustrated by Bankrate
Tariffs could cost households $3,800 in 2025. Discover smart budgeting strategies to offset rising prices on consumer goods.
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