Asking for a raise is usually not easy, and is sometimes
counterproductive. Think about cutting
expenses instead. If you can resist
spending money during the month you have effectively given yourself a
raise. Depending on how much of a raise
you want and how hard you are willing to work for it, you can find expenses to
forego that will provide you that raise.
For example, let’s consider aiming for a $1,200 raise. How
much of your cable TV subscription do you really utilize? If you have an $80 package, could you cut it
back to the basic cable $30 package? A
gym membership for $20 per month is not much, but do you actually make use of your membership? Going out to eat one less time per month
could easily save another $30 (at least). Add these
together and you have saved $100 per month -- effectively giving yourself a
$1,200 raise per year.
John Robert Voynich, CPA
