Banking
Take the 52-week money challenge: What it is and how to do it
4 min read
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
Bankrate offers 18 ideas for stretching your budget to save money.
If your discretionary income is low, you could pay $0 on your federal student loans.
Our guide tackles the basics of disposable income and how you can use it to budget.
Essential reading
How to start (and build) an emergency fund
11 min read
The best places to keep your emergency fund
6 min read
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.
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Latest articles
A majority (81%) of Americans did not increase their emergency savings this year
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
Here’s how to boost your savings.
Sometimes paying an early withdrawal penalty on a CD isn’t a bad idea.
The National Credit Union Administration is similar to the FDIC, which covers banks.
Mobile apps make managing your money a snap and mobile alerts can help protect it.
Ready to open a savings account? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of 2026, keeping borrowing costs in a target range of 3.5-3.75%. This decision (supported by a 10-2 vote) pauses a streak of three [...]
An emergency fund is an essential part of a solid financial plan.
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
Financial goals are measuring sticks that apply to any area of your money management skills that you’re looking to improve.
The online-only bank’s savings rate tops many competitors.
Many challenges still exist but advances have made earning and saving money easier.
Specific savings accounts can help disabled individuals gain financial security.
Even the small victories add up over time when you’re living on a fixed income.
Online banks offer a number of benefits, and they’re just as safe as brick-and-mortar banks.
U.S. consumers see inflation as the biggest threat to improving personal finances.
It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and overspend. Here are ways to avoid that trap.
More than 3 in 5 Americans are worried about their incomes over the next six months.
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