When are your 3 paycheck months and how to make that money work for you [Video]

Updated August 7th, 2026

What would you do if two extra paychecks magically appeared each year? Paychecks don’t magically show up like that, but you can make it feel like magic if you get paid biweekly.

With biweekly pay periods, twice a year you’ll get three paychecks in a month instead of two. 

If you're paid biweekly on a Friday, your first paycheck of the year determines which months bring you three paychecks instead of two. Find your first January payday below to see when your bonus paychecks arrive.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2026?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 2 – Extra paychecks in January and July.
• First paycheck: Friday, January 9 – Extra paychecks in May and October.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2027?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 1 – Extra paychecks in January, July, and December. (With paydays on both January 1 and December 31, this is a rare 27-paycheck year — three bonus paychecks instead of two!)
• First paycheck: Friday, January 8 – Extra paychecks in April and October.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2028?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 7 – Extra paychecks in March and September.
• First paycheck: Friday, January 14 – Extra paychecks in June and December.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2029?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 5 – Extra paychecks in March and August.
• First paycheck: Friday, January 12 – Extra paychecks in June and November.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2030?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 4 – Extra paychecks in March and August.
• First paycheck: Friday, January 11 – Extra paychecks in May and November.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2031?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 3 – Extra paychecks in January and August.
• First paycheck: Friday, January 10 – Extra paychecks in May and October.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2032?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 2 – Extra paychecks in January, July, and December. (Another 27-paycheck year, with paydays on both January 2 and December 31.)
• First paycheck: Friday, January 9 – Extra paychecks in April and October.

When will I get extra paychecks in 2033?

• First paycheck: Friday, January 7 – Extra paychecks in April and September.
• First paycheck: Friday, January 14 – Extra paychecks in July and December.

How does this work if I don't get paid on Fridays?

If you get paid every other week (biweekly), but not on Fridays you can easily figure your extra paycheck months. Look at a calendar, and mark the first day you got a paycheck this year. Then, mark every two weeks until you find your 3 paycheck months.

How can I make my third paycheck feel like a bonus?

Here's an easy trick to make your third paycheck feel like a bonus: build your budget as if you were only getting two paychecks each month. This way, all your expenses will be budgeted based on a normal two paycheck month. 

When you get that "bonus" third paycheck, you'll feel like it’s a lot of extra money in your bank. If you haven't started budgeting, a three paycheck month is the perfect excuse to get started.

Ready to put that third paycheck to work? You can do whatever you want with it, but here are some good suggestions to really help you get ahead:

Ways to make the most of your "bonus" paychecks

Pay down debt

If you are currently in debt, this can be a great option. Start with the highest interest rate debt first. Or, pay down your smallest debt to create some awesome momentum.

Save for a rainy day

An emergency fund is vital to your financial health. Shoot to save 3-6 months of your monthly net income as a safety net.

Prepay some big bills

Think of any large recurring expenses coming up. Could you pre-pay your car insurance in advance? This can often get you a better rate, and then you don't have to worry about that expense every month.

Start saving for retirement

If you need a retirement savings jump-start, this third check can help you get going. Have a 401k with an employer match? Make that third paycheck work even harder by taking advantage of this free money. 

Treat yourself

Take care of your financial foundations, then have some fun. This suggestion is last on the list, because all of your other money priorities should be taken care of first. With any “bonus” left over, have some fun and reward yourself for being smart with your money.

Plan to make those extra paychecks work for you:

Three paycheck months provide you with tons of opportunities to better your financial situation. You can make your future self more secure, pay down a debt, or take care of a large expense upfront.

Need a hand making an extra paycheck plan? Book a call with a LearnLux Financial Planner. A friendly expert will take a look at your unique financial situation. 

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