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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.
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

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Keep fees in check when you shift money from one bank account to another.
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Compound interest is a powerful force for people who want to build their savings.
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Our top 5 picks scored highly for access, range of products and digital options.
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Interest is the price you pay to borrow money or the cost you charge to lend money.
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High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
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Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
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It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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An emergency fund is an essential part of a solid financial plan.
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These simple moves can help you build a cash cushion.
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Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.
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Here’s a helpful guide to how much you need in savings over the course of your life.
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Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
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Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
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As inflation hikes, here’s a phone plan that can help you save.
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Here’s what personal financial experts recommend to help get your finances in shipshape in 2022.
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Sweepstakes winners used their $10,000 prize for practical (and fun) purposes.
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Even the small victories add up over time when you’re living on a fixed income.
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Budgeting on an irregular income is challenging, but it’s possible. Here’s how to do it.
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Online banks offer a number of benefits, and they’re just as safe as brick-and-mortar banks.
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Five winners won $10,000 each in Bankrate’s first Drop Your Debt Sweepstakes.
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U.S. consumers see inflation as the biggest threat to improving personal finances.
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