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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

President Joe Biden in the Oval Office
Biden may want to hold off on raising taxes as the economy recovers — for now.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at post-meeting press conference
For consumers, the pros and faults of today’s low-rate world will prevail for months, if not years, to come.
Rapidly spreading coronavirus has left markets jittery
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but the economic hardship won’t be over anytime soon.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks at post-meeting press conference.
The economy is nowhere close to being out of the woods.
Commuters arrive at South Station in Boston wearing masks.
Even with the economy staging a recovery, many Americans are earning less than before the pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talks with reporters.
It’s an “in case of fire, break glass” kind of moment.
Sen. Angus King (I-ME) sets up a sign alongside a bipartisan group of Democrat and Republican members of Congress as they announce a proposal for a Covid-19 relief bill.
If passed, the Senate’s proposal would be the first major relief plan since March.
Man using cell phone in living room
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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.
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
illustration of money growing on trees
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.
young woman smiling on city sidewalk
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
Young woman using a laptop with credit card while relaxing at home
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.
Woman studying a document and working on a laptop
Here’s how multiple savings accounts can help you reach your financial goals.
Woman online banking with a tablet
How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
Person looking at smartphone
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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