July is a three-paycheck month. Here's how to make the most of it

If you're paid biweekly, July is one of two months this year when you'll probably receive three paychecks instead of the usual two. That's because the 52 weeks in a year can't be equally divided across the 12 months. For workers whose first Friday paycheck was on Jan. 2, 2026, the three-paycheck months are January and July. (If your first deposit was Friday, Jan. 9, the three-paycheck months are May and October 2026.) That additional deposit can feel like "extra" money if you budget monthly, but you're really just getting another regular paycheck early. Instead of letting it blend into everyday spending, here's how you can use those funds to get ahead on your financial goals. How to make the most of a 3-paycheck month Pay off high-interest debts Our standard advice about any windfall or unexpected funds still stands: Use it to pay down high-interest debt like credit card bills before you do anything else. Most card issuers compound interest daily , so carrying a balance month after month can easily lead to financial hardship. If you have money you didn't budget for this month, you could apply for a balance transfer credit card with a 0% APR introductory period and use the cash to pay off the principal on your cards without facing the financial headwinds of accruing interest. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and Citi Diamond Preferred both offer cardholders up to 21 months, or nearly two years, to pay off their balances interest-free. …