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.
If your discretionary income is low, you could pay $0 on your federal student loans.
Our guide tackles the basics of disposable income and how you can use it to budget.
Essential reading
How to start (and build) an emergency fund
11 min read
The best places to keep your emergency fund
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
These credit unions offer great rates and top-notch features — and many make it easy to join.
Knowing your limit before making a purchase can help you make smarter decisions.
You can get a money order from many places. Here’s what you need to know.
A second-chance checking account is designed for those whose banking history may prevent them from opening a standard account. Applicants sometimes have past problems such as an unpaid negative balance [...]
Linking bank accounts is a way to make it easier to transact between the two.
Now that the U.S. Mint is done producing pennies, what happens to consumer prices?
Spend money, pay bills, write checks or make fund transfers with a checking account.
These accounts sound similar, but there are some key differences to know.
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
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.
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
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.
Financial goals are measuring sticks that apply to any area of your money management skills that you’re looking to improve.
Savers can stash their cash in a brokerage these days to rack up returns.
Here’s how to determine the amount to put in savings — and what to do with the rest.
As the Fed holds interest rates steady, savers still have time to lock in top rates.
Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of Aug 8, 2025.
Save more by zapping unwanted expenses with a ‘cancel everything’ mindset.
Best high-yield savings rates today
Best high-yield savings rates for August 6, 2025
Some items are good candidates for storage in a safe deposit box, but others aren’t.
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