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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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In 2024, three Federal Reserve rate cuts spurred declining yields on many deposit accounts, although savers were able to benefit from locking in strong yields on certificates of deposit (CDs). While the [...]
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It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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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.
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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Online banks typically offer savings accounts with much higher yields than brick-and-mortar banks.
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Even small contributions to savings can substantially add up — if you give it time.
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There are savings opportunities in the current interest rate environment.
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They don’t call it high yield for no reason. Here’s how to boost your savings.
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As APYs hit 5 percent, now’s the time to consider higher yielding savings accounts.
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You’ll need a SWIFT code for international wire transfers. Here’s how to find one.
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Want to avoid common savings missteps? Find out what people do at every age that hurts their financial goals.
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Here’s what you need to do to become a credit union member.
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