How do I budget on a biweekly pay schedule where two months a year have three paychecks?
On a biweekly schedule you receive 26 paychecks a year, which works out to two months with three checks instead of the usual two. Budget your regular monthly bills around just two paychecks so every month is fully covered by default, and treat the two 'extra' checks as bonuses. Because those third checks are not needed for routine bills, they are ideal for jumping ahead: knocking down high-interest debt, topping off your emergency fund, refilling sinking funds, or making an extra investment. Mark those third-paycheck months on your calendar so you plan for the windfall rather than letting it dissolve into casual spending. This approach turns the quirk of biweekly pay into a built-in twice-a-year opportunity to accelerate your goals without changing your everyday budget.
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