More Money, Less Problems: How I’m Spending My Extra Cash! 🎉
PSA, bestie <3
This post may have affiliate links, which means I could earn a lil’ cash money if you decide to snag something I mention (at no extra cost to you, of course!). It helps keep this blog running and my caffeine options fully stocked!! ☕️✨ I only link stuff I genuinely love and would 1000% drop in the group chat.
🎧🎵💃Just got paid, Friday night, party hoppin’, feelin’ riiiiiight 💃🎵🎧
If today is your payday (August 1, 2025) &&& you get paid every two weeks—Congrats!!! This is one of those magical unicorn months where you get paid three times! 🦄💰
Twice a year (if you get paid bi-weekly), you get these glorious 3-paycheck months. Every December, I get soooooooo excited to bust out my paper calendar, yes paper lol, to find out which two months are my extra paycheck months, so I can make the most of that sweet, sweet extra cash money!
So, what can you actually do with that bonus check? Here’s how I’ve used my 3-paycheck months to make progress on my goals - ✨ without sacrificing my fun money or joy. ✨
💥 Pay Off Debt
The truth is watching my credit card debt plummet was one of the most satisfying feelings ever!!!! Once I figured out my money numbers and made a game plan, I used 3-paycheck months to hit my high-interest debt HARD.
For me, I started with my credit cards (because ouch, those high interest rates). But this could totally be:
A car loan
A lingering cell phone balance
Student loans
Or even an extra mortgage payment
When I needed that dopamine boost & quick win, these months helped me get traction fast. Seeing the balance drop gave me the confidence to ✨ keep attacking my financial goals! ✨
🛟 Build or Boost Your Savings
TW: Injury + Medical Care
Having an emergency savings has provided me with a sense of peace. <3 A few years ago, I had the chance to go to 🇨🇭Switzerland🇨🇭! I used my credit card points to book my flights and split a hotel with friends. #BougieOnABudget We saw the most beautiful waterfalls, mountains, and walked through a glacier!! I cried. It was one of the best trips! ⛰️⛰️⛰️
🚑 However, I was chatting with some other tourists, tripped over a step on a bus, and landed on someone’s suitcase in an awkward position. #Ouch The next day, I got stuck in the bus station carrying my backpack and I took my first ride in an ambulance because I could NOT move. I had no choice but to seek medical care. I was hospitalized for most of the day and given enough medication to help me travel back to the US to seek medical care at home. 💀
♿💰👩⚕️ Cue: $2,500 surprise bill and follow-up rehab when I got home.
The ONLY reason this injury didn’t financially &&& mentally wreck me was because I’d been building up my emergency savings. What could’ve completely devastated my finances turned into grateful annoyance. I felt a sense of relief in the most painful moment of my life because I built a money safety net. ✨ I knew I could afford to take care of myself. ✨
✌️That experience taught me my emergency fund isn’t just for car repairs or unexpected bills. It gives you peace of mind when everything else is chaotic.
Other savings goals I’ve used 3-paycheck months for:
Vacations
Medical bills
Concert tickets
Tattoos
Friend/family funds (I started this fund for when I want to gift my loved ones with something nice. Maybe they had a hard day – latte, moved to a new apartment – latte, accomplished a financial goal – latte!!!! Got me feeling like Oprah! <3)
💸 What’s your current savings goal? 💸
👵🏼 Retirement Boosts (Hey girl, you got a Roth IRA?)
One of my favorite 3-paycheck rituals? Tossing a little extra cash money into my Roth IRA.
🤑I automate most of my retirement contributions monthly (because otherwise I’d forget), but I use these months to make extra contributions when I can.
Early retirement AKA FI/RE is one of my MAJOR hyper fixations. Because hello, chronic illness, burnout, and a general desire do whatever I want, wherever I want, with whoever I want - yes, please!!!! ☕🏖️✈️
📈 The best part? I don’t know everything about investing, and I still see growth. Between IG financial educators, podcasts, and books, I got the basics down—and that’s been enough to be successful! <3
🔥 Have you heard of the FI/RE community? 🔥
💻 Big Purchases, Baby!
I try to schedule major expenses for these months.
👩🏽💻 Last year, I paired my birthday money with 3-paycheck money to finally snag an iPad so I could learn how to make digital art! This year? I’m buying an Apple Watch to:
Track my health (because #Chronically #ill #life)
Help with ADHD task management + reminders (please send me your fav Apple Watch ADHD hacks!)
Other big-ticket ideas:
New car tires
New appliances
Home deep clean services
New laptop or phone
Holiday gifts (yes, already)
A better mattress
Robot vacuum (I HATE vacuuming! It’s so loud &&& I get overheated. 🥵 I use the robot vacuum every week to help keep my floors clean.)
🎄 August is a little early to be thinking about Christmas gifts BUT I’ve found that when I use this planning system I don’t overspend on gifts &&& destroy my money at the end of the year. I love buying gifts for people but I can easily go overboard if I don’t set myself up. You could also put the money into a Christmas savings bucket in your high yield savings account. (Ya, you earn that compound interest, girlie!!!!)
Note: The next 3-paycheck month isn’t till January 2026 so…. August is MY month for Christmas shopping lol
💃 Don’t Forget the Fun Stuff!
🥳 Listen, I always carve out a little fun money. <3 My whole journey has been based on finding balance between smart spending and fun!
For me, that usually means:
A nice dinner out
Travel to see a friend
A concert I’ve been dying to attend
🪣 If I don’t have anything planned right away, I’ll stash a little in my “fun money” bucket so it’s waiting for me when the moment strikes. Because yes, we are building healthy money habits &&& joy.
☕️ My Plan for August
This month, here’s how I’m using my bonus check:
Put a dent on the recent $2,300 medical equipment purchase
Doggo’s dental cleaning 🐶✨
Extra Roth IRA contribution 🪴
Start my holiday gift savings 🎁
And yes, a cute lil’ dinner out 🖤
How Are You Using Your 3-Paycheck Month?
Follow me on IG and drop a comment – I’d love to hear your plans! Whether you’re knocking out debt, saving for joy, or finally buying that robot vacuum… I’m cheering you on!!!
And if this was helpful, make sure to subscribe to the blog for more dopamine-boosting money content you can read over your next oatmilk latte. ☕🧡
Disclaimer: Please note, nothing in this post is meant to be medical or financial advice, mk? I’m just sharing what’s worked for me and what I love—not trying to be a doctor or financial planner. You do you, boo—and talk to a pro when you need one. All information provided is for general information only and does not constitute any professional advice. We assume no liability or responsibility for implementation of information contained on this blog. Please talk to a professional. <3
🖤 You’re officially in my Top 8 if you read this far. 🖤
Like, for realzzzs I <3 you. Thanks for being here and supporting my small business!!! Your support means more than you know - whether you shared this post, clicked a link, or giggled at a joke, I’m glad you stopped by! I hope you’ll join me on your next coffee break. <3
<3 <3 <3
HELLLOOOO! Hey! HI! How are ya? I’m Chris! Your friendly neighborhood millennial, neurodivergent, and chronically ill girlie trying to manage life & all its super-duper exciting twists and turns. I hope you enjoy reading & learning with me!.