Four Ways to Give Yourself a Raise

December 23, 2007 By Matthew Paulson

A good share of us think we’re underpaid. We think our salary isn’t high enough, that we don’t have a good enough benefits package and that we just don’t get enough time off. Many of us gripe about it but never end up doing anything about it because we think our efforts to get a better compensation will be fruitless. Did you know there are ways you can give yourself a raise and put more money in your pocket at the end of the day without having to beg your employer? Here’s how to give yourself a raise.

Adjust Your Monthly Services – Re-evaluate your cell-phone plan, your cable plan, and telephone plans. Make sure you use all of the services that you’re paying for, and if you’re not, downgrade your plan to something more affordable that you’ll get better use of. Many people pay for 1000 minutes a month on their cell-phone provider and never end up using any more than half of that. By sending less out each month, you’ll have more money in your pocket for other things.

Be Smart With Your Utilities – Almost all of us are paying too much for our utility bills because of inefficencies in our homes or in our usage habits. The EPA produces several publications and websites that will help you optimize your electrical, water, and natural gas usage which will end up saving you money.

Be a Smart Shopper – Whenever you go shopping, there’s almost always a cheaper way than just going into whatever seems to be the best store to go to and picking out what you want. Use coupons, compare prices, and research the products you buy thoroughly. Compare major purchases amongst several retail stores as well as retailers online to make sure you’re not paying too much.

Avoid Unnecessary Waste – Many people stop at a coffeeshop or coffeestand each morning and grab a beverage on the way to work, it’s so much cheaper to make it at home. Many of us buy namebrand clothing and foods when generic versions do the exact same thing for less money. Consider the parts of your life where you spend money on a regular basis and ask if there’s a way to do it for less money.

If you’re truly undercompensated, it’s worth it to fight for a raise, but if you just want more money in your pocket at the end of the day, it’s a lot easier to be smarter with the money you already have than to go and try to get money from your employer that you haven’t proven that you deserve.