A raise only counts if it beats rising prices. These guides show how to check yours against the latest inflation figure, what a higher starting salary is worth over the years, and how to ask for the number you want.
Raises guides
Why Paychecks Still Feel Light After a Raise
Basic living expenses outpaced wage bumps in most major cities. Here is how to measure your paycheck against actual costs and prepare for your review.
Your raise vs. your debt: where the $109 went
Real take-home pay rose $109 a month, but debt payments rose $57, a new study says. What that means for your raise and your paycheck.
How to calculate a raise: percent, hourly and per check
Work out a raise as a percentage, turn an hourly raise into a yearly one, see what it adds to each paycheck, and why it beats a one-time bonus.
Is your raise beating inflation? A two-minute check
How to tell whether a pay rise actually lets you buy more, with this year's U.S. pay and price numbers and a worked example on a $52,000 salary.
Negotiating your starting salary: what $3,000 is worth
A $3,000 higher starting salary, growing at 3.6% a year, adds up to about $35,357 over ten years. Why the first number matters and how to ask.
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The Payday Note every Thursday, plus the free Raise Kit.