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Learn budgeting

Make a budget that actually works for you.

11 short lessons, about 5 minutes each, in plain language. They’re based on guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the FDIC and other trusted sources, and each one links to them. No sign-in needed.

Start here

What a budget is, and the two numbers it’s built on: what comes in and what goes out.

  1. What a budget is, and why it helpsA budget is simply a plan for your money. Here’s what it does for you and the four steps to make one.4 min
  2. Know your incomeBudget with the money you actually take home, and how to plan when your pay changes from month to month.5 min
  3. Track where your money goesBefore you plan, look at what you really spend. Two weeks to a month of tracking is enough to learn a lot.4 min

Build your budget

Pick a method that suits you, then put a plan on paper.

  1. Needs and wantsKnowing the difference helps you decide what to protect and what to trim when money is tight.3 min
  2. Pick a budgeting methodFour proven ways to plan your money: 50/30/20, zero-based, envelopes and pay-yourself-first. Pick the one that fits how you think.6 min
  3. Put your budget togetherTurn your income, spending and bills into one monthly plan you can follow, step by step.5 min

Make it work long term

Safety nets, debt, goals and the habits that keep a budget working.

  1. Build an emergency fundA cushion for surprises is the foundation of every budget. Start with a small goal and grow it.5 min
  2. Pay off debt fasterMinimum payments keep you in debt for years. The snowball and avalanche methods get you out sooner.5 min
  3. Saving for goals and once-a-year costsTurn big or yearly expenses into small monthly amounts, and let automatic transfers do the work.4 min
  4. Smart spending habitsSmall habits that stop money leaking away: waiting before you buy, checking unit prices, and avoiding fees.5 min
  5. The monthly check-inA budget gets better every month you compare it with real life. Here’s a 15-minute routine.4 min
General education, not financial advice
These lessons explain common, well-tested ways to budget and save. Everyone’s situation is different; for advice about yours, talk to a qualified, trustworthy professional such as a nonprofit credit counselor.