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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.

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

Cashier and customer wear face masks at a store during the pandemic
More than 3 in 5 Americans are worried about their incomes over the next six months.
Fed Chair Powell testifies before the Senate Banking Committee
The appointment gives Powell the chance to finish the U.S. central bank’s pandemic response.
Chef delivers food to a table outside during the pandemic.
A game of hiring musical chairs is afoot — and it doesn’t look like it’ll be stopping anytime soon.
An image of the Stretch app on a phone
Here’s why this challenger bank sees a need and an opportunity to win over a demographic that the financial system has ignored.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a post-Federal Open Market Committee press conference
The Fed’s decision is a vote of confidence about the economy.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks to lawmakers at a testimony
The Fed’s massive bond-buying program has about run its course. Here’s how a taper works.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at congressional hearing.
The president will have to weigh his party’s priorities with his desire for continuity.
Pedestrians carry shopping bags in San Francisco, California.
The U.S. economy has made progress in it’s battle against the pandemic but isn’t out of the woods just yet.
Person shopping at grocery store choosing oranges in the supermarket
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.
Man using cell phone in living room
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
Calendar of 2023
Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
young woman smiling on city sidewalk
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
An image of a pink piggy bank standing on top of a green and white striped rocket with smoke coming out of the end of the rocket.
Here’s everything you need to know about high-yield savings accounts.
Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
Illustrated by Bankrate
Big banks pay just 0.01% APY while online banks offer 4% or more. Your $10,000 could earn over $800 more over two years.
Person looking at smartphone
The best account to save your money will vary by your goal.
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.
Mature woman helps her daughter study for exam
High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
woman, using laptop while working from home
The top high-yield savings accounts are currently earning APYs of 5 percent and greater.
A woman holds a phone at an office
Savers can stash their cash in a brokerage these days to rack up returns.
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