If you are paid every two weeks, there are a few months in the year when you will get a third paycheck.
How? There are 52 weeks in a year and 26 pay periods if you are paid every two weeks. Most months have four weeks, so you usually receive two paychecks per month. But because the 26 paychecks spread over 12 months are not split evenly, there are usually two months each year where you get an extra (third) paycheck.
Where your three paycheck months fall on the calendar will depend on when you received your first paycheck of the year.
Here’s a breakdown of three paycheck months, depending on when you got your first paycheck in 2025:
Comb through your paychecks or bank statements to find the date of your first paycheck in 2025 and see when you can expect your third paycheck.
Getting an extra month’s pay can be exciting – you might feel like you’ve been paid “extra” and be tempted to splurge. However, remember that you are paid according to your regular schedule and that money is part of your regular salary.
Even so, it can be beneficial to receive funds with three paychecks in the same month. So be sure to make a plan for that money in advance.
Read more: Having trouble with the budget? Following the 50/30/20 rule could be your solution.
If you’re expecting a month with three paychecks soon, here are some ways to make the most of it and reach your financial goals:
Using your extra funds to make extra mortgage payments, credit card payments, or student loan payments. This can help you pay off your debt even faster and lower your overall interest costs.
For example, let’s say you have a 30-year, $400,000 mortgage with a fixed interest rate of 7.4%. Over the life of the loan, you would have paid $597,027 in interest if you had stuck to your original monthly payment schedule. However, with just one additional payment, you can reduce the total interest paid to $575,227 over the life of the loan. If you make this a habit every time you have three paychecks, it could save you thousands over that 30-year period.
Once you’ve covered your monthly expenses, you may want to set aside some extra savings for yours emergency fund or long-term goals. To supercharge your savings strategy, you can put that money into a high-yield savings account or high-yield certificate of deposit (CD) to earn compound interest on that balance over time.
Many banks and credit unions offer high-yield savings accounts CDs with rates as high as 4%. That’s way above that national average interest rate on savings of 0.42%.
Having an extra paycheck in a month can give you a good cushion within your monthly budget. However, before your direct deposit arrives, think carefully about where that money will have the biggest impact on your personal finances.
