Smart money · Manage
Manage your money: banking, saving and budgeting
Making money is half of it. Keeping it is the other half. These guides cover where to park your cash, how to budget and how to cut what you spend. Two good places to begin: the best online savings accounts and ways to get out of debt.
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Start with your situation
Pick the one that sounds like you.
- I want my cash to earn moreThe best online savings accounts.
- I'm starting a budgetThe best budgeting apps.
- I'm in debt13 realistic ways to get out.
- I need an emergency fundHow to start one.
- I need a checking accountFree checking with no minimum balance.
- My bills are too high11 realistic ways to lower them.
Start here
The guides to read first.
Savvy move
Keep more of what you earn
Three quick checks that keep more money in your pocket.
- 1Put your emergency fund where it earns.A savings account that pays interest and carries FDIC or NCUA insurance beats cash in a drawer.
- 2Read the fee schedule.Monthly fees and minimum balances can cancel out a good rate. Check both before you open an account.
- 3Automate it.Set a transfer to savings for payday. Money you never see is money you don't spend.
All Manage guides
33 guides, newest first.
Best CD Rates of 2026: Up to 4.15% APYUpdated Oct 12, 2026- Best Online Savings Accounts for 2026Our list of the best high-interest savings accounts. Here are Smart's selections for the best savings account rates from top online banks.Updated Oct 14, 2026
Student Loan Forgiveness in 2026: Every Program That Still ExistsUpdated Aug 25, 2026
Best Apps to Save Money on GroceriesThe grocery cashback apps worth running, what each pays and where, plus the two most people should skip.Updated Sep 1, 2026
How to Budget When You’re on a Very Low IncomeIf you have a low income, here is how to create a budget that will help you save money and be sure your expenses are covered.Updated Jun 26, 2026
13 Realistic Ways to Get Out of Debt and Become FreeHow to get out of debt, step by step: list what you owe, pick snowball or avalanche, lower your rates, and know which debt relief traps to avoid.Updated Oct 2, 2026
How to Lower My Bills: 11 Realistic WaysHow to lower your bills, starting with the biggest ones. Scripts for calling providers, which bills are negotiable and where to get help if you...Updated Oct 2, 2026- Get Paid to Save Money with These Apps & IdeasLearn how you can get paid to save with these apps and ideas that really work. Start getting paid to save money.Updated Jun 16, 2026
How to Drastically Cut Expenses in (Literally) Every Area of Your LifeHow to drastically cut expenses, area by area: housing, insurance, debt, transportation, food and bills, in the order that saves the most.Updated Oct 12, 2026- How to Budget in College (Student’s Ultimate Guide)Learning how to make a budget shouldn't be hard. Follow along, step-by-step, as we walk budgeting beginners through the process of budgeting.Updated Jun 16, 2026
- How to Start an Emergency FundStop living paycheck to paycheck and learn how to build an emergency savings fund so that you can take control of your financial life.Updated Jun 16, 2026
Best Bank Account Bonuses and Promotions of 2026Opening a bank account can be a big step, but getting a bonus for it makes it even better. Here are some of the best banking bonuses and promotions.Updated Oct 13, 2026
Quick answers
Where should I keep my emergency fund?
Somewhere safe you can reach quickly, like a savings account insured by the FDIC or NCUA. Online savings accounts often pay more than a standard branch account, so check a few.
How much should I have in an emergency fund?
A common rule of thumb is three to six months of essential expenses. If that feels far away, start with a smaller goal and build from there.