10 Ways To Make the Most of Your Social Security Payment in October

Your monthly Social Security check is an essential part of your budget. But when the average monthly Social Security amount is only around $1,865, it can be difficult to stretch your retirement dollars further.

Since monthly payments won't increase until next year's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) comes through, it's up to you to make the most of the payment you've got.

Here are some small but crucial changes you can make to ensure your Social Security payment lasts as long as possible this month.

Almost every brand-name grocery store product — from vitamins and shampoos to granola bars and cereals — comes in a more affordable generic-brand alternative.

Most generic editions vary from their brand-name versions only in terms of packaging and pricing. Your taste buds won't be able to tell the difference, but your wallet certainly will.

Apps and web extensions like Honey comb the web for discount codes and coupons, then apply those codes before checkout. Others, like Ibotta, curate lists of stores and products with cash-back rewards. Even small savings can add up each month when you're living on a fixed income.

According to Self.inc, consumers waste an average of $10.57 per month on unused subscriptions. That's money down the drain.

Apps like Rocket Money will find every subscription you have — including every free trial you committed to and then forgot to cancel — and list them out so you can cancel those you don't need.

According to CarParts, average monthly gas costs can range from $130 to $200, which means it pays to compare prices. AAA's mobile app, for example, lets AAA members and non-members alike see a list of gas stations with cost per gallon in their area. Other apps do the same, as well.

If your town has reliable public transit, compare the cost of a bus pass to that of paying for your own gas and car maintenance. And even if you prefer to drive, try to strategize errand trips in advance so you're making just one trip per day, not multiple smaller trips that waste gas.

Forgetting to make a payment often adds to the original bill. Scheduling automatic payments whenever possible is an easy way to avoid paying more than you owe and keep more of your monthly Social Security check.

Turning off the air conditioning or heater entirely isn't doable for most seniors, especially those who don't live in moderate climates. Fortunately, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, raising or lowering the thermostat by just seven to 10 degrees for only eight hours a day can cut your energy bill by as much as 10% a year.

Not sure if you can enjoy yourself without spending money on travel, food, and entertainment? Schedule a staycation and try to go a few days without making a purchase to see if you can do it. Once you're used to enjoying the things you already have at home, it'll get easier to spend less over time.

If you know you're prone to making spontaneous purchases, switch to making online orders so you can't grab anything off the shelves at the last minute. Alternatively, make a list before heading into the store and keep strictly to it — if you see something at the store you want but didn't include on the list, write it down for next time's visit.

Along with federal savings like national park discounts and Medicare, look around for city-specific senior discounts. You may find that your local library offers free tax-filing, or your nearest family theater has senior-specific discounts on Friday nights.

If you're someone who receives both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the government, your SSI check will be deposited on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Expect your Social Security benefits to arrive on Friday, Oct. 3.

Additionally, if you've been receiving Social Security since before May 1997, you'll get your benefits check on the third as well.

If you only receive Social Security benefits, the exact date of your payment depends on your date of birth:

• If you were born between the first and 10th day of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
• If you were born between the 11th and 20th day of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
• If you were born between the 21st and 31st day of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Following the smart money moves for seniors we listed above can relieve some of the pressure on your budget and help your Social Security payment last the month. But if you've implemented them all and are still struggling to stay afloat, you might want to consider larger, more long-term options.

Downsizing or moving to a more affordable state or city will require some planning and time, but the benefits to your bottom line could make the change worth it.