Skip to Main Content

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.
Woman using a calculator and examining financial documents

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

young woman working on her laptop
headshot of article author, Greg McBride
A man researches on his phone.
A man researches on a tablet.
Design element of a pile of cash with a illustration of a city in the background
FDIC
Illustration of construction workers on a roof
man pumping gas into his car
Person shopping at grocery store choosing oranges in the supermarket
Man using cell phone in living room
Illustration of construction workers on a roof
Mother and daughter shopping for vegetables
Calendar of 2023
illustration of money growing on trees
young woman smiling on city sidewalk
Mechanic uses force to unlock bolt
Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Fresh produce
woman looking at her phone while walking outside
Woman writing in a planner
Person on laptop computer
Man using tablet PC while having coffee at cafe
A mid adult woman sits at the counter in her kitchen and uses a laptop computer for online banking while managing her personal finances.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc