Asking for a raise can be uncomfortable for many of us. However, as I teach my children, if you don't ask the question, then the answer is always going to be no. If you want a raise and you feel like you've earned it, you need to ask for it. This is particularly true if you've taken on additional responsibilities but never been compensated for the additional value you're providing to the company.

Related post: Tips to Negotiate a Higher Starting Salary

Here are strategies for how to ask for a raise when you're underpaid: 

Know your company’s mission and goals.

Why is it essential to have a handle on your company's mission and goals? You’ll want to infuse them throughout your pitch for a higher wage. Show how the work you do aligns with your organization’s goals and mission.

Do your homework.

Knowing what the market rate is for your position is helpful when asking for a raise when you're underpaid. It costs companies a lot of money to bring on new employees and is generally cheape...

Do you remember when you first became a mom? I remember it like it was yesterday. I had so many fears. I was afraid that I wouldn't be a good mom. I was worried that my kids would get hurt. Sometimes I'm afraid I will say the wrong thing when we have an important conversation.

It's normal to worry when you embark on something new, and starting a business is no different. Fear of starting a business is entirely normal. As a business owner, I am constantly pushing myself outside my comfort zone to grow and make a more significant impact. With that said, it's also incredibly rewarding to see the business that I've built.

When I talk to those who are interested in starting their own business, but they can't seem to take the plunge, I find that it's often self-belief that is holding them back. If you suffer from a lack of self-belief, all hope is not lost!

Overcome your fear of starting a business with the following tips:

Set a Goal and Create a Plan

The mere act of setting a goal (o...

What is your biggest fear? Ask a child and they may respond that it's spiders or snakes or some other creepy-crawly. However, as we grow older, we begin to realize that there are other kinds of things to fear. For example, fear of losing a job or fear of not being able to pay the mortgage.

The consequences of the things we fear can seem unbearable. Money fears are no different. So, what do most people do? Lie and hide. That's right. I said they lie and they hide. They lie to themselves about how serious things are, and they hide their fears or their consequences from others.  

Some of these may be the very people who could help, but fear and shame keep them from admitting they are in trouble.

Honesty feels risky

Getting honest about money when you are in trouble feels risky. In some cases, it can cause harm, and in others, it can create worse case scenarios. From missing a payment and having an adverse credit score to causing financial damage to a business or institution, money pro...

The very first personal finance book that I ever read was David Bach's Smart Women Finish Rich. I was in my early 20s at the time, and it was the financial education I never got in school on how to improve my finances. It opened my eyes to a lot of things - about how spending is a reflection of our values, the power of saving consistently over time, and how to avoid common financial mistakes. 

Over the years, I have read some of David Bach's other books as well, so I was looking forward to the release of his latest, The Latte Factor.

This book is different from Bach's other books. It's a parable that teaches basic personal finance concepts through the story of a young woman named Zoey. The text is very readable for a book about personal finance, and Zoey is a very relatable character. If you are having a hard time figuring out how to save for the things you want, I highly recommend it.

3 Ways to Improve Your Finances According to The Latte Factor

Through Zoey's character and the b...

Wondering how to save money while raising a family? You are not alone. I can't tell you how many moms have told me they can't save money because their kids always need something. I can relate. I have three kids that are continually growing out of clothes and shoes, wearing a hole in their backpack, or any number of other things. With that said, it's absolutely possible to save money while raising a family.

Related post: How to Create an Annual Household Budget

10 Tips on How to Save Money While Raising a Family

Commit to saving

First and foremost, successful saving starts with commitment. Saving consistently and automatically is essential to reaching your financial goals, but you won't be successful without a goal. Consider the following:

• What are you saving for?
• How much money do you need or want to save?
• What's the timeframe?

Once you have your goal in place, automate those savings deposits. You can do this in a couple of ways:

1. Set up automatic transfers from your spen
...

Do you wonder how to effectively teach your kids financial responsibility? The financial behaviors we impart to our children are significant in shaping their future money management skills. As a financial advisor who frequently encounters deeply ingrained money habits, I understand the importance of these early lessons and aim to share them with my own children.

Teaching kids financial responsibility starts at home. My children, although young, exhibit distinct attitudes towards money, highlighting their understanding and unique relationship with it. The core principle I wish to instill in them is that they are in control of their own financial situation. This understanding becomes particularly clear with my youngest, aged seven.

A real-life scenario unfolded recently when my 12-year-old son prepared for a camping trip with his Boy Scouts Troop. A portion of funds from the boys' fundraising activities are allocated to their scout account, teaching them the value of money. The account...

As they say, "one man's trash is another man's treasure."

Experiencing periods of financial strife has happened to almost everyone. When it happens, it can bring on feelings of worry and anxiety. But one way to make some quick money is to sell some belongings you don't use or no longer want. From big-ticket items to clothing and tchotchkes, you might be surprised what you can sell to thicken your wallet. 

Follow these strategies to make the most from your sales:

1. Consider selling almost everything.

Make a list of the items you'll sell room by room and jot down reasonable prices to ask. Don't worry; you won't miss them once they're gone. Are your rooms over-stuffed with too much furniture? Sell your least favorite pieces. Sell that extra recliner in the back bedroom that's piled with junk. Sell the junk on it, too! 

You don't use your bread maker anymore? Sell it to someone that will. What about the wrong size clothing or those you dislike? If you don't wear them, sell them. I us...

In life, everything is negotiable and starting salaries in a new position are no exception. Regardless of whether you are returning to the workforce after staying home with your kids or you're trying to uplevel your job, you are a knowledgeable professional. Know your worth. You have experience under your belt and other valuable skills that employers should be charged a premium for utilizing.

Give yourself your worth by negotiating your starting salary within a new company. Not only will it put you on a better financial footing, but it'll also make you seem like an ambitious businessperson.

5 tips to confidently and successfully negotiate a higher starting salary:

1. Be prepared. Negotiation is all about the legwork. Do your research on the company, their current salary offerings, and the average salary in your locality. If this is your first time negotiating a salary or your first time in a while, it can be daunting. Practice with a friend or family member to give you confidence w

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By Kelly Greene

It starts with the tooth fairy, right, moms? Your child loses that first tooth and you’re both so excited! The tooth fairy will be visiting! As your child is asleep you stress over how much the tooth fairy is paying these days for a tooth. Your friend maybe gave their kid a dollar or a quarter but what about that one mom who gave her kid a $20 bill?!? And so it begins…

Now flash forward a few years and your kids are older, they want money for things plus they live in your house and make their kid messes so they have chores. So, should you give an allowance? Should you pay them for doing chores? If you google this you will find so many varying opinions and methods, leaving you even more confused. Here are a few ideas:

1. Give them a weekly allowance along with a list of chores. The amount of this can be their age or an amount you feel comfortable with. Also, if you have more than one child the chore list may rotate. If you choose the amount to match their age be aware...

By Kelly Greene

Your bundle of joy has arrived and through the endless laundry, sleepless nights and spit-up on your clothes, you don’t want to be stressing about money. We want the very best for our children but do they really need all the fanciest items and expensive gadgets as infants? We easily fall prey to these things, especially with our first child. Many of these items aren’t necessary or can be obtained in much cheaper ways.

Here are 10 money-saving tips for new moms:

1. Buy gender-neutral items. It’s hard not to want your baby girl’s nursery to be the epitome of a pink princess palace, but a few years down the road when you have your son you’ll wish you had opted for something more neutral. 
2. Consider convertible items. There are so many great options now like cribs that can convert into a big kid bed later. Car seats and strollers also come in more options that will last longer as your child grows. 
3. Don’t dismiss second-hand items. Of course, it’s great to have shiny new
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