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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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Take a look at the days when CDs were offering investors double-digit returns.
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These are the 10 largest credit unions in the United States based on assets.
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Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
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The best bank and credit union for you will depend on your banking needs, but in general, the best banks offer accounts with low or no minimum balance requirements and don’t charge monthly fees — or [...]
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High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
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The top high-yield savings accounts are currently earning APYs of 5 percent and greater.
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Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
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Setting up direct deposit is typically easy and can save you a lot of time. Here’s how.
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Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
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An emergency fund is an essential part of a solid financial plan.
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It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
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Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
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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.
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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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Banks have been loudly touting their multi-billion-dollar investments in artificial intelligence as a breakthrough for consumers. CEOs speak at conferences about AI-powered personalization. Marketing departments [...]
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
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Several banks continue to offer savings accounts well above 4 percent APY.
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These options are great places to stash money from a bonus, inheritance and more.
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Inflation can eat away at your purchasing power, if you’re not keeping up with it.
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Several banks are offering high-yield savings accounts well above 4 percent APY.
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More than half of Americans also say the U.S. economy is on the wrong track.
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Wondering what to do when it comes to saving during a recession? Here’s what the experts have to say.
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