How to get a raise in the recession

You've read the papers, watched the news, discussed it over coffee, dinner and everything in between, and there is no doubt: This country has been in a recession for well over a year and it's not going to end anytime soon.

You may have been an early victim, losing your house when rates adjusted. Or maybe you're a more recent victim and have lost your job, had your hours cut. Even if you haven't been a direct victim, you've most certainly been an indirect victim, experiencing rising costs for household basics, retirement accounts taking hits, access to credit denied.

If you're like most households, you've taken a good, hard look at your budget and cut out the fat, but you're still not making ends meet consistenly each month. Maybe you've considered a second job, but time doesn't permit. What else can you do? Why, ask for a raise, of course!

Asking for a raise in this economy may seem ludicrous but M.R. Kylis of Working Mother magazine says different in her Time is Money series. In her article Time is Money - A Raise in the Recession? she gives very good advice about when and why to ask for a raise. From gathering your courage to avoiding pitfalls, these tips and tricks just may help you conquer your fear and get the raise you deserve.