If you get paid on Fridays every week, there are five months in 2023 when you will get five paychecks. The five paycheck months in 2023 are March, June, September, and December.
Making your monthly budget based on four weekly paychecks instead of five can help you use the extra money in a more efficient way. For example, you might use the paycheck to start an emergency fund, reduce your debt, contribute to a retirement account, save for a vacation or down payment, or save money for a home improvement project.
Take advantage of your 5 paycheck months
Have a plan to put the extra paycheck to work
Lack of planning is the main reason people blow their extra paycheck. Some people don’t even know what months these extra paychecks come in. Have a plan to put the extra dollars to work.
Start an emergency fund – People often waste their extra money because they don’t have a plan for using it. If you know when your extra money is coming in, you’ll be more likely to save it.
Pay off your high-interest debt – if you have a high-interest credit card debt or a car loan, use the money to pay some of it off. If you have multiple high-interest loans, start paying off the loan with the highest interest rate, then the loan with the second-highest interest rate, and so on.
Contribute to your retirement account – if you have an IRA or a Roth account, contribute to these accounts to save for retirement. If you don’t have an IRA, it’s time to open one.
Pay off your mortgage – Consider paying off a portion of your mortgage. Check with your mortgage company to ensure that you have no prepayment penalties. More of your future monthly payments will go toward the principal and less towards interest if you do this.
Save for a downpayment on a house – If you are planning to buy a house, use the extra money to save for a downpayment on a house
Save money for Christmas gifts – Save the money in your saving account to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family at the end of the year
Save for a vacation – If you have been planning to go on a vacation, use the extra paychecks to save for the getaway trip.
Save for home improvement projects – Use the money to save for a dream home improvement project, whether it is renovating the kitchen or upgrading your media room.
