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
7 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 second-chance checking account is designed for those whose banking history may prevent them from opening a standard account. Those who apply for this account sometimes have past issues such as an unpaid [...]
Top savings APYs remain above 4%, with plenty of account options to choose from.
Bankrate’s Economic Indicator Survey: Unemployment could rise to the highest since 2021 by next year
A slowdown may already be underway in the once formidable U.S. job market.
The best savings accounts for teenagers offer competitive rates and charge no fees.
Here are top accounts for features like ATM fee waivers, overdraft forgiveness and more.
Even the smallest of these big banks has enormously deep pockets.
Currently, you can lock in annual percentage yields (APYs) on certificates of deposit (CDs) above 4 percent on many nationally available CDs, while a select few financial institutions offer promotional [...]
Here’s how much $100,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.
Monthly budgets are popular because many expenses, such as rent and bills, occur monthly.
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.
It’s important to find the right accounts for your emergency savings.
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.
Get ahead of your savings by raising your rate by an amount you prefer. Here’s how.
Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of September 16, 2025.
It’s a low interest rate environment, but there are ways to earn more on your money.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — a main line of defense against unfair banking practices — has been dramatically scaled back under the Trump administration. In May 2025, Congress overturned [...]
Check out Bankrate’s savings picks to help you start off on a long financial future.
Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of September 15, 2025.
Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of September 12, 2025.
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
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