TRY IT
Move the sliders: $200 a month for 30 years at an example 7% return grows to about $240,000 — on $72,000 of deposits.
THE ROADMAP
The order matters. Find your step, then read the guides for it.
Build 3–6 months of savings
A full emergency fund turns a crisis into an inconvenience.
Emergency funds
Saving
How Big Should Your Emergency Fund Be?
Three to six months is the classic answer. Here’s how to pick your number.
Most read
THE EASIEST BUDGET
Half for needs, 30% for wants, at least 20% for savings and extra debt payments. Hover the chart to see it on a $4,000 paycheck.
The 50/30/20 budget
On $4,000 a month of take-home pay.
THE PLAN
Start with part one: know your score.
STORIES
Tap through the week’s best ideas.
Reader poll
What’s your #1 money goal this year?
Vote, then see what 9,000 readers said.
MONEY, SIMPLY
Guides, calculators, Plus and our debt-free plan.
Start here
Budgeting
Simple plans that survive real life.
$240
Saved a month
One reader’s grocery bill, cut.
Members
- Budget templates
- Every in-depth guide
- The Sunday check-in
Good Cents Plus
From $4 a month.
Investing
New series
The Debt-Free Year
Four steps, one calm year.
Home buying
Down payments, mortgages and closing costs.
Calculators
Budget, debt, interest.
Retirement
It is not too late to start.
Good Cents is general education, not financial advice. Talk to a licensed professional about your own situation.
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