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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

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Over time, ATM fees have climbed. Here’s what you need to know.
A little girl gets a vaccination.
Setting aside pretax dollars in an HSA can help you defray future medical costs.
Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
close up of hands signing a check
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
Woman online banking with a tablet
How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
woman holding a child and working online at home
Being able to open a checking and savings account can help build financial security.
man using an atm
ATMs are useful for depositing money, checking your balance, and more, but be aware of possible issues that may arise.
Illustration of cash under a beach umbrella
Here’s how much $10,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Focused young woman entering banking credit card information in computer application, making household payments online, booking flight tickets or hotel, purchasing goods or confirming transaction.
APYs on high-yield savings accounts remain competitive after Fed rate decision.
Woman working from home with a child in the background
A new Bankrate analysis shows mothers earned 31 percent less in wages than fathers in 2023.
Image of a round pink piggybank in a life raft floating on water.
JPMorgan raises recession probability to 50%. Learn five practical steps to protect your savings before economic conditions worsen.
Image by Getty Images, Illustration by Bankrate
Recession risks are rising. Learn six smart savings strategies to protect your money before it hits.
Image by Getty Images, Illustration by Bankrate
Learn six practical ways to safeguard your finances amid economic uncertainty, from strengthening banking security to finding better rates.
Young mother with toddler
High-yield savings accounts remain a strong option for savers…for now.
Illustrated by Bankrate
Big banks pay just 0.01% APY while online banks offer 4.4%. Your $10,000 could earn $897 more over two years. Learn how to switch without changing banks.
Young business woman working at the office on a laptop
Here’s a guide to saving $10,000 in one year to make yourself more financially secure.
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