August 15, 2011

Cash a little tight? Gearing up for a large purchase? Or are you simply planning for a better financial future? (Get 'em Made Woman!) Whatever your motivation, these are our top resources that will help you get your money right in no time:

Women and Money
Even the most financially savvy ladies in my book club took something away from this one. In Suze Orman's signature no-nonsense manner, she relates how being confident and self-sufficient are directly linked to our financial well-being as women. Read "Women and Money" and then share with your mom, best friend, co-worker, aunt, nail lady....

Rich Dad, Poor Dad
In "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," personal finance author Robert T. Kiyosaki lays out his viewpoint on money in a way that is interesting and straight-forward. This is one to read NOW if you plan to be wealthy. It's also a good conversation piece when talking to other professionals, because most have read it.

I Will Teach You to be Rich
Don't sleep. In one of the most informative and simple money blogs out there, Ramit Sethi helps people cut the crap and figure out how to stack chips. That simple. What I love most is Ramit's conversational tone. As a Stanford graduate he could talk you in circles, but he takes a more laid back approach. Check it out. And then share it with your friend who is always broke. ;-)

LearnVest.com
A friend of mine recently shared this site with me. Thank goodness! Specifically geared toward women, Learn Vest simplifies tricky financial topics. The tools and calculators will show you where you stand financially, and they offer expert advice on handling things like taxes, major purchases, and saving for college. Add this to your favorites and your bank account will thank you.

August 15, 2011

Since the 2008 market crash, you have stepped up to the plate to become a star employee. You come in early, solve problems and have taken on the work of co-workers lost to the recession. You don’t just stay late; you stay until the job gets done. Despite this dedication, you’re tired of working two jobs for the price of one. Well, with the economy showing signs of recovery (the U.S. created 244,000 jobs in April—the largest jump since 2006) you may not have to. If you think you deserve a raise -- and you probably do – then these are the steps you need to take to evaluate your performance and get the money you have earned.

The first thing you need to do is a self-assessment. Look at your work and determine how much progress you have made over the past year. Did you meet deadlines and expectations? Did you show initiative and go out of your way to contribute to the success of the company? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you have every right to ask for a raise.

A good time to ask for a raise or promotion is during annual employee evaluations. Most large companies hold them every year to assess employee productivity and it is an ideal time to highlight your achievements. Your performance is already the topic of discussion, so make the most of it. If your company doesn’t have reviews, simply request a conversation with your manager about salary. Go into the meeting prepared to prove why you deserve what you are asking for and use numbers to support your argument. For example, I work in the PR industry so I might say, “I saved the company $10,000 by implementing a more efficient way to complete share of voice reports,” or “I secured 50 media placements in top national publications.” Remember, managers are overworked too and may have forgotten all the hard work you have done. They want to keep their best employees, so reminding them of what you’re worth will be appreciated. 

Regardless of your industry, find ways to show that you are the best at what you do and that you are an asset to your company. A great way to show your value is to create a brag book, which is a portfolio of all your best work. Get in the habit of documenting your success. When it is time to ask for a raise, you will be able to prove your worth. A brag book is also a great self-marketing tool for future job searches.

Finally, be flexible. Your boss may agree that you deserve a raise, but the company just cannot afford it. Show your commitment to the health of the business by offering alternatives you will accept instead of a traditional raise. Maybe you would love a more open schedule that includes telecommuting two days a week, or a half day so you can catch up on errands. Perhaps you will be happy with a partial pay raise and a new title that reflects the responsibilities you have assumed. Some firms might even offer incentive bonuses for finishing projects ahead of schedule or saving the company money. You have plenty of choices besides a traditional raise, so research your options and go after what you want.

If you don’t get everything you want, ask what you can do in the next six months to make the conversation successful the next time. This lets the boss know you're serious and that you're willing to improve to get this raise. When the time comes to reward great employees, your name will be at the top of the list. If you know that you deserve a better salary…ask and you shall receive.