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.
Not having success with your savings? A budget can make things a little easier.
Woman using a calculator and examining financial documents
Understanding discretionary income can help you with your budgeting strategy.
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

Three young professionals collaborating on a project
Avoid wasting thousands in unnecessary expenses because of financial illiteracy.
Woman and man standing back to back, spare coins on the side of the woman and large value bills on the side of the man
The gender pay gap impacts all women, but not in the same way.
Illustration of men and women for gender pay gap story
Working with less can keep women from saving, investing and growing wealth.
Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
Woman doing financial paperwork
Better to let a CD automatically renew or cash it in? Here’s a guide for those looking to renew.
Person using phone to do mobile check deposit
Here are some key factors to consider when searching for the best checking account.
A senior man is on a smartphone.
Here’s answers to your top MMA questions.
Woman on laptop with salmon-colored background
Here’s why financial literacy is important for women and how they can attain it.
Mother and daughter shopping for vegetables
These six simple moves can help you build a cash cushion.
illustration of money growing on trees
Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
young woman smiling on city sidewalk
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
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 home for your emergency savings.
Calendar of 2023
Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
Young man choosing oranges in the supermarket
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
Mechanic uses force to unlock bolt
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
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.
A piggybank floating on a liferaft
Sixty percent of households feel behind on their emergency savings in 2023.
Halloween bucket filled with money
Despite inflation and expenses, there are ways to increase your emergency savings.
piggybank
Here are some of the best savings accounts you can sign up for as a business owner.
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
man taking money out of a wallet
If you’re struggling to save money right now, you’re not alone. Here’s how a few easy changes can help.
A man uses the Qapital app to save money.
Build up your savings by automatically setting aside small amounts of money.
A couple budgets together.
Not having success with your savings? A budget can make things a little easier.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc