Banking
Take the 52-week money challenge: What it is and how to do it
4 min read
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
Bankrate offers 18 ideas for stretching your budget to save money.
Discretionary income: Definition, how to calculate it and how it impacts your budget
Personal Finance
Understanding discretionary income can help you with your budgeting strategy.
Our guide tackles the basics of disposable income and how you can use it to budget.
Essential reading
The best places to keep your emergency fund
8 min read
How to start (and build) an emergency fund
11 min read
12 ways to save money every day
7 min read
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.
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Latest articles
Many Americans are ready for a vacation. Here’s how much you’ll spend to get away.
Top high-yielding savings accounts continue to handily outpace inflation.
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
Online checking accounts stand out for different features. Here’s our top picks.
Walk away with stacks of cash just for opening a checking or savings account.
These joint checking accounts are ideal for sharing finances with another person.
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
An emergency fund is an essential part of a solid financial plan.
These simple moves can help you build a cash cushion.
Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief bill proposal comes during the pandemic’s biggest inflection point yet.
The deal comes just days before key CARES Act programs are set to expire.
The deadline has recently been extended, but you’re still going to want to act fast.
The HEROES Act is back, but it could be a non-starter for some Republicans.
In this election, many young voters remain unsure about at least one key issue.
The plan includes direct aid to taxpayers: $1,200 to individuals and $500 per child and dependent adult.
How much is too much? Here’s everything you need to know.
The study shows that the number of Americans with less emergency savings has ballooned since the crisis began.
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