Save time and money with my best-selling resources in Complete Change Your Finances Bundle.
Do you need some extra money to pay down debt or build your savings?
Why don’t you give yourself a raise?!
I believe your value should increase the longer you work, as your skills improve, and your compensation should increase proportionally.
Understandably, employers are not always in the position to provide large raises or at times any raises, but there are ways you can give yourself a raise so you can make progress on obtaining your financial goals to get out of debt or build your savings.
As a freelancer, I do recognize I am in a unique situation and have been able to give myself several raises over the years by picking up more work. However, everyone should have some way on the side to bring in money and give yourself a raise when needed.
Regardless of your work situation, there are many ways to earn some more money on the side and I have compiled 35 ways to give yourself a raise.
You do have to be creative with ways to earn money and be willing to work, but it is entirely possible to give yourself a raise. Let’s get started, shall we?
- Acquire more professional certifications in your field
When I became nationally certified, my hourly wage increased substantially. Yes, it does take work, time, and expense to obtain certifications, but it is worth it to increase your pay. Find a mentor or a study group to help you if needed. Take some time to invest in yourself and your potential earning ability.
2. Pick up over-time
Over-time is not fun. You might miss out on something or have to work weekends/nights/holidays, but you can do it. Visualizing your financial goals will give you the motivation to put in some extra hours. Your paycheck will be happy and you will be able to start making progress.
3. Sell your unwanted stuff
Craigslist, Ebay, and yard sales all need to become your new best friends. Have a specific goal in mind for the money you receive from any sales, put the money aside, and watch how quickly you are able to obtain your goal.
4. Get a second job
Deliver pizzas. Babysit. Dog walk. Moonlight as a bartender. The possibilities are endless and you will start to move the needle with the extra income in your pocket. Do you need some ideas? Look here.
5. Do a side hustle
Similar to getting a second job, there are so many opportunities for a side hustle. This is a great list of some ideas. Usually side hustle gigs are more short term; hey, there are a lot of interesting gigs to choose from and you just might find your next career path by trying something new.
6. Get on a written budget.
If you have been reading this blog long, you should be expecting this one. Stop spending money on unnecessary stuff you will just post on Craigslist later. I have found following a zero-based budget to be extremely helpful in controlling my spending where I make a plan as to where every dollar will go before the month begins.
7. Apply for a promotion.
Do you provide great value to your company? Talk to HR about any open positions coming up and take the chance to apply for the new position. Talk to your manager about wanting to move up in the company and what steps you would need to accomplish in order to make those vertical moves happen.
8. Make something and sell it.
Are you crafty? You can open up an Esty store and sell items you make. Or rent a booth at a flea or farmers market and sell your goods there. People love homemade items and are willing to pay a premium for them.
9. Provide a service for someone.
House cleaning, yard work, cleaning up dog poop, or running errands for people. Take inventory and brainstorm how you can use your valuable skills to bring in some extra money. If you provide a service people need, you will find they will be more than willing to pay for receiving a valuable service especially if they do not want to do the task themselves.
10. Start a side business.
Have you always wanted to go into business for yourself? Maybe now is the opportunity to start your dream on the side. I would recommend starting your business with a small amount of cash and working in your free time to build the business, rolling the initial profits back into your business. Your idea could be a winner and it is possible to grow your side business until you make enough to quit your day job.
Like this post? Check out all the rest in this Ways to Earn Extra Money at Home series
Hi! I’m Charissa. I’m on a mission to help hardworking women overcome money struggles and gain financial peace with a Biblical perspective so they can have the freedom to impact their families and communities. Ready to make some changes that will impact your finances in 2020? Click here to get a free worksheet to help you make it happen!
Awesome post! I think you hit the nail on the head with creative ways to create your own pay raise. That’s ridiculous that some employers skimp on giving their employees a decent raise. That only makes the employees feel undervalued and unhappy at work. I felt grateful to have a good boss who offered me a 10% raise after my 6 month review. If I wasn’t offered a raise after at least a year I most likely would have taken the initiative to ask for one.
Thanks Chonce, High five for the great raise and after 6 months! Just curious, how would you go about asking for a raise? What would you say?
Thanks Charissa! It was a surprise to me but I was at the point in my life where I was going to ask for one eventually after working a crappy job before that never gave me a raise after 3 years, I had finally realized my worth.
I would leverage the annual or 6 month review and simply ask about advancement opportunities and where my boss saw a future for me at in the company. I would also bring data and work samples to demonstrate my value and accomplishments as an employee to justify earning a raise. I actually wrote a post about this not too long ago that you might like: http://youngfinances.com/blog/get-first-salary-increase-promotion-year/
Chonce, thank you so much for sharing about what you would do to ask for a raise. I know personally, I have not been in the situation to need to ask for a raise due to free-lancing and I think the information you shared will be helpful for others who are thinking about asking for a raise themselves. I really like your points about asking for advancement opportunities, realizing your worth, and sharing your accomplishments to your employer, instead of just going in to ‘ask for more money’. I will head over there and read your article. Thanks again!
We value your post on Fridays Blog Booster Party. These are such creative and motivating ideas to give ourselves a raise. It reminds me of the saying that ‘life does not have a remote, so get up and change it yourself.’ Thanks Charissa I hope you will have more to share next Friday.
Thank you Kathleen. I love the saying you shared, it is so true! I plan on joining the Friday’s Blog Booster Party every week. Thank you for stopping by!
Great post! It’s shocking to think of all the little extra things that can be done to boost your income. Thanks for the great insite! I’m sure this inspired more than just me to get up, be creative and get to work!!!!
I am so glad you were inspired when you finished reading the article, Valerie. A boost in your income can be helpful, regardless of paying down debt, building savings, or paying for a fun vacation. Stop by again and share what you do to boost your own income!
Wow! You certainly have given us a long list so there is really no excuse for people not to try. Most of the things on the list are what we all could do if we really wanted to. Thanks for sharing – I’m off to double my income 🙂 #debbieinshape
Sue, good luck with doubling your income! Earning money on the side is certainly worth the effort, especially if you have a goal you are putting your earnings towards.
I have been working on side hustles for more than 20 years and I’m surprised at how few of my friends do. I sit at lunchtime and listen to them complain and moan about not having enough money and it doesn’t even seem to occur to them that they could be doing something about it. I think some people just lack the imagination to see better opportunities. Glad I’m not one of those people.
Good for you Adrian! Yes, side hustles are super helpful when every you need to make some traction and pay off debt/ save money quickly!