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.
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.
Woman sitting on a sofa looking at her laptop
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.

Months
Years
    Initial DepositTotal Contri...Interest Earned
    Total savings breakdown:
    Interest earned $ 5,803.89
    Total contributions + $24,000
    Initial deposit + $10,000
    Your total savings
    $ 39,803. 89

    The average APY in the U.S. is 0.57%. Enter an APY to see how much you can save, or choose an APY from one of our partners.

    Latest articles

    close-up of a hand holding a cell phone
    The person-to-person payment tool can allow for easy transactions to friends, family and more.
    Piggy bank with cash overflowing
    Walk away with stacks of cash just for opening a checking or savings account.
    Young man working in a co-working office
    These are the great bank accounts for new grads.
    Woman using a banking app on her phone
    Competitive rates, fewer fees, and convenience are all reasons to consider online banking.
    woman using laptop in the kitchen
    These tips can help maximize your savings using certificates of deposit.
    young man falling out of the sky along with various household items and cash
    Businesses may now be starting to pass along higher costs from tariffs to consumers.
    artistic rendition of skyscrapers
    Here are some of the biggest bank mergers and acquisitions in American history.
    Woman putting a check in an envelope that says cancel
    Follow these steps to stop a check in its tracks.
    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.
    Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
    Man using cell phone in living room
    It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
    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.
    young woman smiling on city sidewalk
    Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
    Woman having coffee and texting on her phone at home
    Should you let these fintechs automate your budgeting?
    Father and daughter saving money in piggy bank
    Find the best high-yield savings account rate today.
    Dollar sign balloon being blown up by a pump on a green background with an arrow pointing down to the right
    How to find the best high-yield savings account in times of high inflation
    Side view of father cooking food while daughter having apple in kitchen
    These simple moves can help you build a cash cushion.
    Home Finances
    Here’s how to earn more interest with a high-yield savings account.
    Man watering plants
    Interest is the price you pay to borrow money or the cost you charge to lend money.
    Mature woman helps her daughter study for exam
    High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
    Person using laptop computer at home
    Split direct deposit is a simple way to painlessly boost your savings.
    A student withdraws cash at an ATM.
    There are ways to access your money and ultimately spend it. Here’s how.
    The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
    Wall Street Journal
    Usa Today
    New York Times
    Cnn
    Bloomberg
    Abc