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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.
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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.
A Truist Financial bank branch in Miami, Florida, US
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 [...]
Woman at bank talking to teller
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.
Cash in gloved hand
Depositing cash into someone’s account isn’t always possible, but there are options.
Young worried man working at home
Learn why a bank could close your account and what to about it.
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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.
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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.
An attractive African American female creates content with a video camera in a bright office.
Learn how deinfluencers help you save money by promoting mindful spending habits.
Young Asian woman using smartphone while relaxing on armchair, checking her bank account via online banking and managing her finances. Online personal banking. Wealth management. Digital banking habits. Smart banking with technology
Here’s how to determine what a good interest rate is on your deposit accounts.
A young girl visits a doctor.
Confused about finding an HSA? Use these tips to determine the best deal for you.
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Here are scenarios for when each choice – paying down debt or saving – makes more sense.
A little girl gets a vaccination.
Setting aside pretax dollars in an HSA can help you defray future medical costs.
Golden piggy bank and golden coins
Here’s how to save money and get the most bang for your buck.
Person Putting Coin In Piggy Bank At Table
Savers can still earn yields on deposit accounts that are outpacing inflation, even as some yields have decreased recently as banks anticipate a likely Federal Reserve rate cut in September. One such option [...]
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Whether you hope to buy a home or just rent for a while, a solid savings plan is the key to finally moving out of your parents’ house.
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