Am I Moneymaxxing? Plus, More October Money Questions

Each week, we answer money questions from around the web on the NerdWallet app. Here are three trending questions from October.

Living paycheck to paycheck, where money seems to run out at the end of each month, can happen for many different reasons and at all kinds of income levels.

Sometimes, automated savings into retirement or college accounts eat up “extra” pay. Lifestyle creep can also strain even a healthy salary. In other cases, it’s hard to meet even basic needs on a single paycheck.

While the context might differ, financial experts agree on some basic strategies to stop living paycheck to paycheck.

• Put savings first. Set money aside for an emergency fund and retirement before spending. Automating those savings is one way to make sure they get prioritized. Of course, automating savings only makes sense if you’re sure you can still pay your other bills, too. If you can’t, explore other resources for help.

• Make a budget. Using guidance like the 50/30/20 approach, allocate your money to different categories, and track spending to limit unnecessary spending.

• Avoid impulse spending. It’s easy to feel like you should spend more when influencers peddle certain products or services, but focus on what you actually need.

• Try not to spend more when you earn more. A common trap is upping your spending whenever you get a pay raise, but doing so makes it harder to get ahead.

• Talk about money frequently. Discussing financial goals, spending and any adjustments needed with family members can keep everyone on track. It might even help to have a weekly or monthly meeting.

“Moneymaxxing” might be a fun social media term that refers to optimizing your finances, but it’s also a helpful way to look at money choices.

Like its predecessors looksmaxxing and frictionmaxxing, moneymaxxing is all about making choices that deliver results. Spending smarter, saving more and having long-term financial goals are all part of moneymaxxing.

So how do you know if you are moneymaxxing or moneylaxxing? Here are some ways to decide:

• Do you track your spending? Tracking where money goes is a key component of moneymaxxing because it allows you to make adjustments if needed. Keep a close eye on where every dollar goes for a month to see if there are surprises or things you want to change.

• Do you plan out your spending? Making a plan for where your money goes, also known as budgeting, can help you make sure you’re spending on products and services that align with your long-term goals. For example, if you want to go on a big vacation next year, then it makes sense to start saving for it now.

• Do you think about your financial goals? Brainstorming big dreams like retiring at age 60 or visiting every continent? This can help you make sure current spending and saving patterns put you on a path to turn those goals into reality.

• Do you have a plan to pay off debt? Deciding on the snowball method or avalanche method, and then paying off high-interest debt, can free up your money for other purposes.

• Do you find joy in managing your money? Embracing moneymaxxing over the long-term is easier if it’s fun. Find ways to enjoy mindful spending, budgeting, and taking on other financial to-dos.

If you noticed a recent spike in your utility bills, chances are you can do something about it.

When it comes to water, for example, a sudden uptick in your regular bill can mean your home has a leak. Check your faucets, toilets or any other water source. If you can’t locate it, a plumber might be able to help.