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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.

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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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Financial goals are measuring sticks that apply to any area of your money management skills that you’re looking to improve.
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Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
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Split direct deposit is a simple way to painlessly boost your savings.
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Over 1 in 3 people tapped emergency savings in the past year, per a new Bankrate survey.
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There are ways to access your money and ultimately spend it. Here’s how.
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