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The Treasurer · № 14

Negotiated a Raise

Asked for and received a raise, better rate, or better terms on work you were already doing, a babysitting rate, a lawn-mowing fee, an hourly wage, a weekly allowance tied to responsibilities.

The idea

The script is short: I've been doing this for X months, I think I'm worth Y, here's why. Practice it out loud before the conversation. Most kids fold at the first counteroffer because the silence is uncomfortable. Hold the number. The first successful raise teaches them to ask for the next one, and the one after, and the one after that. The asking is what compounds.

Steps
  1. Document what you're already doing. Specifics, dates, results.
  2. Pick the number. Don't ask for "more."
  3. Practice the conversation out loud.
  4. Have the conversation. Don't fold at the first counteroffer.
What counts

A documented raise, rate, or terms successfully negotiated. The before/after rate is plenty.