Stretching a paycheck is not an uncommon thing these days to many working families. The amount of money they used to be able to survive on is no longer the same and rising costs are forcing many families to get a new job or a second job just to get by.

There are several things people looking to stretch their paychecks fail to look at when dealing with their income. Here are 6 ways to make a difference in your paycheck.

1. Re-evaluate Your Withholdings

For people who have been with the same company for many years, they often fail to go to the human resource department and upgrade their withheld money amounts. Occasions such as a raise in pay or an addition to the family can change your payroll deductions.

Your payroll administrator or your tax accountant can probably help you determine the correct amount you need to pay in from each paycheck in order to be in the clear during tax time. Of course, many people figure that a huge, lump sum amount every April is the better option, the reality is that the money you are lending out to the government throughout the year can instead help make a dent in your living expenses and debt payoffs.

2. Re-evaluate Other HR Numbers

When reviewing tax withholdings, take the opportunity to make sure you are contributing the maximum amount you can afford in your 401K plan. This is especially important if your employer matches the contribution.

You should also make sure that your health insurance plan still meets your family's needs. Make sure you are not paying for coverage you do not need. Revisit alternative plans that can cut costs but still provide you with good medical insurance.

3. Use Perks to Your Benefit

There are a lot of folks who would drool over the perks offered by companies like Google, but just because you may not get free haircuts and massages at your job, doesn't mean the perks you have access to are any less important.

If you are paying for a gym membership on your own, you may find your company offers you discounts or free memberships. Check in with the HR department and review your employee manuals to make sure you are taking advantage of the perks being offered.

4. Track Company Spending

Some people may not think twice about running out to Staples to pick up some copy paper but the truth is, buying office supplies is not your obligation. You should be diligent about keeping receipts and turning in reimbursement reports to get your money back.

If your company frowns on reimbursements, keep your money in your wallet and ask for petty cash instead. Don't forget to include any mileage you put on your car for business travel purposes.

5. Sign Up for Direct Deposit

If you pick up your paycheck in hand each time, you are more than likely to spend more cash than you need to be spending. Ask your payroll administrator to give you the proper paperwork to complete to set up a direct deposit.

Your pay will be directly deposited into your account each time and you can also allocate a small percentage into a separate savings account. The less cash you have on hand, the less likely you will spend unwisely.

6. Re-evaluate Your Banking

While signing up for direct deposit, it is also a good time to review how much money your bank is costing you in service fees and other charges, especially if there is a fee for direct deposits. Living paycheck to paycheck is hard enough without the additional unnecessary expenses just for holding your money.

If you've had the same bank account for the last several years, start looking around at other banks. If you find a better deal, don't make the switch yet. Take the information back to your regular bank and see if they will match the services. If not, consider taking your business elsewhere.