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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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Now is still a good time to consider CDs for your portfolio. Here are five reasons.
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I’ve been in financial services for nearly 14 years and have helped customers with the most common deposit products, but this month was the first time I opened a certificate of deposit (CD) for myse [...]
Person Putting Coin In Piggy Bank At Table
Savers can still earn yields on deposit accounts that are outpacing inflation, even as some yields have decreased recently as banks anticipate a likely Federal Reserve rate cut in September. One such option [...]
Young couple paying bills online
Online bill pay can add convenience and security to managing your routine bills.
white-collar woman looks tired in the office
Despite strong economic indicators, many Americans are experiencing a “vibecession.”
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Make your mid-career break a success with these five ways to save for a year off.
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Whether you hope to buy a home or just rent for a while, a solid savings plan is the key to finally moving out of your parents’ house.
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Overpaid in unemployment benefits? Here’s how to resolve the issue efficiently.
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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.
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.
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A savings account can be a great tool to teach your child about money. Here are a few of our favorites.
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It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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Here’s how much $10,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.
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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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