10 ways to get more out of your paycheck

112. Save $1,000s per year – 10 ways to get more out of your paycheck

Here are 10 ways to get more out of your paycheck:

1. Take charge of your salary. Get organized, and develop a spending plan. Keep it simple track money earned and spent. At month's end, compare. Where can you cut and save? You can use the free online tool mint.com to track earnings and spending.

2. If the opportunity exists, work overtime or an extra shift at least once or twice a month.

3. Participate in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Your contributions are made with pretax dollars. You save for the future while reducing today's taxable income. Your employer may also contribute a percentage towards your 401K, like 50 cents to the dollar up to a certain amount.

4. Set up a tax-advantaged IRA or Roth IRA account to build up your retirement savings. Also check out idea nr. 115: $$$ Make $1,000-$2,000 per year – Get the retirement tax credit

5. Take full advantage of all the employer sponsored benefits such as flexible spending accounts, retirement plans and direct deposit to save time and money. Save a bundle on taxes by paying your childcare costs with pretax dollars. Banking institutions often will drop or lower checking fees if paychecks are directly deposited by your employer. Direct deposit offers the additional advantages of convenience, security, and immediate access to your money.

6. Participate in an employee sponsored health plan. These plans allow you to pay for healthcare premiums on a tax-free basis.

7. Working couples can reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and premiums by carefully comparing the costs of the benefits offered by each employer to find the best deal. If medical coverage is part of your employee benefits and you don't need the coverage, ask your employer if you can get cash back or a bump up in salary.

8. Save your raise. The next time you get a raise at work or a tax refund, consider directing half to savings. If you're not used to the money, you won't miss it. You can also use it to close part of your credit card debt with it.

9. Get paid weekly or biweekly? Then several times a year, you get an extra paycheck in the month. Put it in a savings account or put it in your rainy-day jar.

10. Rather than spending that 3 percent cost-of-living raise, bank it. Then the next time you get a raise, increase your disposable income by the amount of your last raise.

Also check out idea nr. 2: $$$ Make $300-$500 per month (per person) or up to $1,000 per month of higher household income – Negotiate with current (and future) employer for more corporate-paid benefits

Also check out idea nr. 68: $$$ Make $1,000+ per month – Taking an extra (part-time) job – or two

Also check out idea nr. 69: $$ Make $100s per month – Change jobs to get higher pay

Also check out idea nr. 114: $$$ Make $500-$5,000 per year – Tax credits for working people (Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC)

Also check out idea nr. 90: $$$ >> Make $2,000+ per month – Become an Make-Money-Become-Millionaire consultant!

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