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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.
Young man working on finances at home. He has a laptop open and is using a calculator.
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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These options are great places to stash money from a bonus, inheritance and more.
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Your money doesn’t just sit in the bank. Here’s what it’s been up to.
An image depicting parents and a small child sitting at a table with an open laptop, papers, and a calculator sitting on top of it. There is a large compass behind the parents and an arrow pointed to the upper right of the image.
High tariffs will make it harder for parents to afford the necessities — but don’t panic.
Older man with glasses sits on a couch next to a younger woman with curly hair. They are looking at official paperwork on a coffee table that also contains a calculator. There is an image of a large compass behind their heads and an blue arrow pointing from lower left to upper right.
Economic uncertainty is making it harder for low-income Americans save.
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After years of being passed over by established banks, startups are working to shift the paradigm in financial services and better serve LGBTQ customers. Here’s what the disruptors are building, how [...]
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Here are differences between CDs and share certificates, and which one to choose.
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Learn the key characteristics of certified checks and how they differ from other types of payments.
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Inflation can eat away at your purchasing power, if you’re not keeping up with it.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
A woman and daughter work together
A savings account can be a great tool to teach your child about money. Here are a few of our favorites.
Man using cell phone in living room
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
Illustration of cash under a beach umbrella
Here’s how much $10,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.
Fantasy image of a robot hand holding a phone with real cash falling out of the screen
For many of us, saving money feels like an uphill battle.
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Here’s how multiple savings accounts can help you reach your financial goals.
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How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
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The best account to save your money will vary by your goal.
Image by GettyImages, Illustrated by Bankrate
The APY percentage shows how much an account earns per year. Here’s what you need to know.
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