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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

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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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Recent Bankrate data shows that young people are the ones most optimistic about their finances.
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Recession odds have fallen from a high of 65 percent in the third quarter of 2023.
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Experts still expect a major hiring slowdown, even if it hasn’t happened yet.
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Economists are divided over when inflation will hit the Fed’s 2 percent goal.
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Rate cuts might not bring the relief consumers have been waiting for.
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Learn the advantages and disadvantages of offshore banking and whether or not the risks are worth the potential benefits.
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Liquidity will be a big factor in choosing between term deposits and call deposits.
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Losing your wallet can be reduced to a minor inconvenience if you know what to do.
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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.
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The APY percentage shows how much an account earns per year. Here’s what you need to know.
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