I love my job.
I really do. There are lots of reasons for me to like it here.
One of the frustrating things, however, is that I haven't had a pay raise in over 2 years.
Now, for someone who always worked for large corporations, this is unheard of. We always received some sort of review/raise every year. This job, however, is different. We are a small (like TINY) business where half of the employees are actually owners of the company. The economy has hit us and yet, we're still hanging in there. I feel almost selfish for even suggesting a pay raise.
"If I could just get $300 more a month." I said to the CEO today.
"You know what you'd do with that $300 more a month?" he asked.
"Yeah yeah..."
I know I'd spend it.
Its kind of like... buying a bigger purse. Or a bigger house.
We think, "Oh I'll have more room!" And then what do we do? Fill it up. Suddenly we need a BIGGER purse or a BIGGER house.
Maybe getting a divorce was a blessing because I moved to a home that was half the size of the one I shared with my husband. We had to simplify. Donate. Scale down.
Now my daughters are asking for a bigger room.
Ahhh well, we gotta start somewhere.
***
I've been thinking about this since I mentioned wanting more money. The CEO is right. I can make the most of my earnings now. I am so grateful to have a job.
I know its possible.
How do YOU make the most of things?
Money, space, time, food, etc?
Please share your ideas!
I understand that now might not be the time for giving raises but did your CEO indicate that he's willing to give you one once business picks up again? Good employees need to be rewarded for their hard work- especially in hard times. Some things I do to make my money go further is buying as much of my groceries, toiletries, and make-up at Walmart as I can then just getting produce etc at the grocery store. It sounds lame I know, but they are way cheaper. Instead of driving or taking the bus to work all the time, I walk in the mornings and take the bus home. I cut down my cable bill and will soon be getting rid of my home phone line as I have long distance on my cell. Those are just a few things :)
ReplyDeleteIt's true. When I was married I made a lot more money than I do now and I couldn't rub 2 cents together. Now I make a fraction of that and overall it's a bit better. We all need enough to make end meet.
ReplyDeleteSaving tips. I haven't had cable since '04. It keeps me more active and saves a bundle. Food wise I usually have two big things cooked and use as left overs and throw in a fast dish to break it up. The last is I bundle trips together. If I know I'm going to certain area I try to do everything I need to so I can save on gas. Good luck with it.
Been making the most of having NO income since last September. Doable but kinda tired of it actually. Someone hire me, PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteT,
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately have no ideas but I hope to learn some from your fabulous friends. :)
{hugs}
Why is it any of your bosses business what you might or might not do with a raise? You should get a raise to reward hard work, above-average job performance and/or to reward longevity with the company. I'm sure you deserve a raise and hope you get it!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, NO ONE at my place of employment has received raises or bonuses in quite some time. Again, I feel bad even suggesting it. But you do have a point. It really is none of his business.
ReplyDeleteMaking the most of my earnings... Hmm. Well I am not the best with money, but recently my friend greg helped me with my budget and I realized that I wasted lots of money using the atm and in other bank charges. Not paying some of my bills on time was also costing me a fair amount. Ummm... buying groceries at the corner store when I am in a rush was also a big money waster. I guess I'm saying that maybe looking at your habits closely will reveal some things you do that waste money that you didn't even realize you were doing? I don't know. I hope you get a raise though. I bet you deserve one!
ReplyDeleteSell stuff you don't need. I dug up a bunch of old landscaping and made $325 selling rocks. Better yet, start a rock quarry from your back yard. Also, no cable.
ReplyDeleteBeing a single mom w/ four kids, and no child support means I am the QUEEN of thrift!
ReplyDeleteI buy and cook in bulk, freeze extras and shop at co-ops, fruit stands and an actual butcher shop to save money on the basics.
I limit convenience foods (which we all know are just loaded with suger and fat anyways). We don't eat out unless it's a special occasion.
We have learned to have recreation time at home, we use Netflix for movie nights (so much less than renting movies or using on demand) We have "spa" nights at home, we have game night, or go to the park when the weather is good.
I'm blessed to live in a tiny town. We walk nearly everywhere we go, and I can barter for some things I need/want. I traded a piece of furniture for a few months worth of daycare services for my youngest two kids.
There are lots of ways to save money, lots of things you can give up and never even miss it, and lots of great ways to enjoy your family and your home without spending a ton.
I get some serious satisfaction from being able to make ends meet. I think it's this pride that comes from knowing I can make it on my own. I miss having money. A lot of the time. But at least I'm happy now. You can put a price on happy. And I guess I'm paying it.
ReplyDeleteLess money means I have to really think before I make my purchases. Less space means I have to be neater and more organized. Less time means I have to be more focused and driven. Less food...should be thinner. Less means I have to work to be more.
I rely on the "the Lord shall provide" thinking! Hasn't let me down so far :)
ReplyDeleteDavid and I have had to really shuffle and reconsider things now that we have bought our house!
T, I am in the same boat, although not only are we not having raises, but we were furloughed, too — that hurt!
ReplyDeleteAnd everything keeps getting more expensive, and the whole state of California is falling apart (along with my aging house).
I pick up extra work whenever I can — just to try to maintain. And, I have stopped doing a lot of things; I just can't afford it. Fortunately, most of what I love to do — hike, bike, cook, read, music — is free. And time with my sweetie, The Kid and friends? Priceless! ;-)
Also once in the land of Giant Corporations, that life now seems like a distant memory. Though I was never extravagant (not how I was raised), when it came to books or educational opportunities for my kids, that was always doable.
ReplyDeleteWhen times change (recession, recession, recession combined with bad divorce), you have to change with them.
It's like the Nike commercial. When there's little to work with, you just make it work. You just "do it."
What else is there? Especially when it's for your kids?
Good morning T, yes, things have gotten tight around here as well. I work for myself and the kind of work I do is the kind that can be "put off" if need be so that's what people are doing. I've even lowered my rates because I know how much pain others are going through to make ends meet... my little part at trying to help the economy...
ReplyDeleteI always wish I made the same money that I used to. But then I realize that I didn't have any more spendable money back then, than I do now. Just more debt. so basically I will be the same no matter how much I make.
ReplyDeleteBut I do need a raise! :)
I hope that you get yours!
Don't let the CEO talk you out of that. Make a case to him for the pay raise! He gave you a speed bump, and you backed off.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to spend it. You could save. You could use it wisely. YOu could...
Thank you for a needed reminder. I have been blessed with SO much, yet there's always this "more, more!" attitude in our culture.
ReplyDeleteI like to have a month where I do the, "Do I NEED it?" question every time I make a purchase. At the end of the month, I've always saved money and I'm completely reminded that I have a lot of wants. What I need is actually very simple.
Your CEO's response sounded rather condescending to me ... it's not his business how you would use the money. His response should have been more about the financial limitations of the company and what the market rate for your position is.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lot more mindful about my money now than I was when I was earning tons. I think my biggest savings are that we don't eat out as much and I don't buy as many clothes :)