How to Save Money and Build a Budget

Mutual funds offer an easy way to invest in stocks or other financial assets. See how to invest in mutual funds and what you should know before you start.

Learn what a maturity date is in the context of loans, bonds, and CDs, and what happens with principal and interest when an investment or loan matures.

Learn how to make your money work for you. See tips on investing, making passive income, planning for retirement, building emergency savings, and more.

If your employer offers one, a 401(k) plan could be a convenient way to save for retirement. See how these plans work and how to choose 401k investments.

A joint bank account is a checking or savings account you share with someone. Learn how a joint bank account works and the pros and cons of opening one.

Calculating the annual percentage yield (APY) of a savings or investment account can help you to find an account that offers the best interest rates. Learn how to calculate APY.

Learn how to calculate the payback period using simple formulas to evaluate and compare investments. See the payback period formula and calculator.

Use a liquid net worth calculator to understand what your liquid net worth is, see why it matters, and learn tips to start growing your net worth long-term.

Understanding the four main types of mutual funds can help beginner investors decide which mutual funds they might want to invest in.

Explore financial habits, like setting goals and developing a healthy money mindset, that can help you achieve long-term financial freedom.

Recessions could put your financial security at risk. Curious about what you should do before a recession? See financial moves you may want to consider making.

Learn how CD ladders work and how they help you maximize returns on savings while giving you regular access to cash. Take steps to get started today.

Understanding major asset classes can help you to make investment decisions. See diversification strategies that can help you create a balanced portfolio.

Learn how investments can help you grow money for the future, while savings accounts can help you keep money on hand.

Experts advise aligning your investments based on when you’ll need the money – short-term, medium, and long.

A certificate of deposit, or CD, may be a safe but limited way to hold some of your money. Learn when investing in a CD is the right choice for you.

Thinking about investing? Here are a few steps to help you choose the type of starting investment that’s best for you.

Find out what an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is, and see different types of IRAs, along with benefits, and contribution guidelines.

APR and APY both include interest rates, but one is mostly for borrowers and the other for investors. Learn more about the differences between APR and APY.

A practical guide for beginners investing in stocks, including how to get started and how much to invest.

Understand the difference between growth and value stocks to determine which investment style aligns with your goals.

ETFs are investment funds that give investors a simple way to diversify their holdings, often for lower fees than mutual funds. Learn the pros and cons of ETF investing.

Real estate investing can potentially earn you money or diversify your investment portfolio. There are big, medium, and small ways for you to get involved in the market.

Discover the tax advantages and benefits of a Roth IRA. Learn why tax-free growth and contribution flexibility make it a valuable investment tool.

Diversification refers to shifting your investments to help limit your exposure and reduce volatility. See diversification strategies you may want to consider using.

What’s the difference between mutual funds vs ETFs? Despite many similarities, the main difference lies in how they’ve managed, which may affect their payoff for you.

Socially responsible investing can reward both the investor and the community by putting investors’ money toward ethical, socially conscious organizations.

Equity funds are available in many different types. This explanation of equity mutual fund types might help new investors choose the funds that are right for them.

How investing works puzzles many people until they gain experience. This overview can help you get started.

Learn how inflation impacts investments, including stocks and real assets, and see strategies for mitigating its effects on your portfolio.

Risk tolerance is the level of risk an investor is willing to take with their investments. Use these questions to help gauge your risk tolerance.

Actual cash value is a method used to calculate the value of insured property. Here’s how it works and how it differs from replacement cost value.

An Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) allows employees to acquire shares in the company they work for. Learn how an ESOP works, and what happens if you leave.

Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) are an investment option, but they do carry risks. Learn more about what CLOs are and how they work.

An inherited Individual Retirement Account (IRA) comes with different options for beneficiaries. Learn more about the complexities of inherited IRAs.

Curious how much of your paycheck you should save? See smart saving strategies and guidelines on how much of your paycheck you should be saving each month.

Savings accounts are useful to put money away for the future. Compare the different types of savings accounts to help determine which is best for you.

Discover the benefits of a family savings plan. Learn steps you can take to achieve your financial goals and foster a culture of saving in your household.

Savings accounts and money market accounts, while different, can each provide a safe and secure way to earn interest and grow your finances, regardless of market conditions.

Learn how to open a joint bank account to streamline shared finances and use our tips for managing spending and finding the right joint savings account.

Checking and savings accounts offer different features and benefits. Checking accounts are for regular transactions, while savings accounts are best for saving.

Discover the features and benefits of an American Express® High Yield Savings Account, including mobile banking. Learn how to open an account.

High-yield savings account vs. money market: Learn the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right account to grow and access your savings.

CDs vs. HYSAs explained: See which savings account offers better rates, more flexibility, and how to decide the best fit for your money.

A savings account offers safety, growth, and flexibility. See why it’s a smart place to keep money for emergencies, goals, and everyday financial planning.

Learn ways to earn extra income while working full-time and unlock practical ideas and tips for effectively balancing work and side hustles.

See how you can save money if you're moving across the country. Our checklist for moving out of state can help you to streamline the task and save money.

Learn how savings bonds work. See why they are considered to be a safe investment and what your options are with this long-term investment.

You may be able to deposit cash at an ATM with your bank or partner institution, but limitations may apply. In some cases, you may also need to pay fees.

Learn about certificates of deposit vs. savings accounts, browse CD and high-yield savings account options, and make smarter choices for your money.

During inflation, we all need to be smart with where we put our money. These tips can help you be a smart consumer and investor to reduce the burden of inflation.

The 30% rule states that renters should spend no more than 30% of their gross monthly income on rent, but this rule may not work for everyone.

Saving money as a couple can help you both reach financial goals faster, but combining finances can also add hurdles. These tips may help.

Learn about inherited IRA rules, including rules for spouses and non-spouses. See how these rules could impact you and other important considerations.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures consumer deposits in member banks in case they fail. Learn how to check if your deposits are protected.

These seven tips for budgeting money can help move you closer to your financial goals – and may increase your happiness, too.

A bank statement shows your account activity and can help you track spending. Learn how to use your bank statement to stay on top of money management.

How much you should save each month depends on your income, expenses, and savings goals. Many financial experts recommend the 50/30/20 budget rule as a good start.

During economic downturns, the Federal Reserve can cut interest rates, leading to near-zero interest on savings. Here are three higher-interest alternatives.

Knowing how to stop spending money and start saving is easier said than done. Learn how to take control of your budget and relationship with money with these tips.

Saving and investing are two different ways to achieve financial goals. Understanding the differences can help you choose the best approach for you.

Make saving fun! Learn several fun money-saving challenges to help you save money. Develop healthy financial habits that can help you reach your goals.

Learn about the advantages of having a checking account, including convenience, security, and access to financial services. See how a checking account can streamline your banking.

The average interest rate for a savings account will vary, depending on the type of account and other factors. Shopping around could help you to find the best deal.

The 50/30/20 budget approach divides monthly income into three buckets to help you right-size your spending today and build savings for tomorrow.

See how to open a bank account for kids. Some banks have no age restrictions, while others do, but an adult will typically need to be present.

Looking for tips on how to manage your subscriptions? See strategies that can help you save money with subscriptions, and maybe even help your credit.

Automatic Clearing House (ACH) payments and transactions offer some advantages, but they have their downsides as well. See how ACH payments work.

Health Savings Accounts can help you save money on medical costs and be used for long-term tax-free savings – as long as you have a high deductible health plan.

The routing number on a check is not difficult to find. Knowing which numbers are which can provide valuable insight into the structure of a check.

With direct deposit, payment can be sent electronically straight into your bank account. See how easy it is to set up direct deposit in our step-by-step guide.

Online banking works by allowing you to manage your bank account or conduct transactions via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. See how it works.

Impulse buying can derail even the best budget. See steps you can take to help stop impulse spending and develop healthy financial habits.

Food delivery is a popular service, whether for groceries, restaurant orders, or snacks. Learn ways to save money while enjoying food delivery.

Layaway can be a good way to finance big purchases, but is it the best option? See how layaway works, its pros and cons, and alternatives to consider.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the most popular shopping events of the year. These holiday shopping tips can help you navigate Black Friday and Cyber Monday safely.

The standard tip percentage for eating out in the U.S. is 15% to 20%, but this can vary. See factors that can impact how much you should leave for a tip.