No raise, no bonus - again, no flames please.

[barbarabini]

Another year, no raise and no bonus. I am grateful that we have a job. Although my lifestyle hasn't changed (in two years), it seems like my expenses have gone up. My state taxes out of payroll for 2010 seem to have gone up at least another $1200 per year (appx 60 more per pay period) My real estate taxes have gone up another $800. Not to mention whatever federal goes up to. My prescription plan has gone up as has the daycare expenses (410 for two days to 475 for two days).

So I have tried to work on my fixed expenses, i.e. use less electricity - been able to reduce it by 1/3, increase my deductibles, reduce my cable/interest/phone service, try to shop for bread the the bakery outlet, use more coupons, ect. But does anyone have any other novel ideas? It seems like the major increasing expenses are out of my control.
I am now hunkered down for another year, but need some more tips for saving money.

 

[ICF]

you're far from alone....other things go up in cost, but I'm not getting any extra money to buy them.

I work for a very large global company and we have had no raises in 2009 or this year and we haven't done any sort of bonus plan for most employees since the late 90s. They also cut all recognition last year and announced they are reducing our workforce again.

Still thankful I have a job, but morale here is VERY low......

 

[Liberty Belle]

I hear you. I got a slight (extremely slight - I think it ended up being about $460 a year) raise, but my husband hasn't got a raise in three years. He works for a public university and no one (except for the medical center part) has got raises.

 

[mjkacmom]

DH's company has had a salary freeze in place for anyone making over $50,000 for about 5 years now. His bonus last year was half of what it had been previous years, and his bonus is usually 1/4 of his salary, so that hurt. But, he has a job, and didn't take a salary cut, like many of his friends did.

 

[okeydokey]

That really stinks. My DH and I have also had no raises in about 5 years (we work for state gov). We're very frugal but it is hard.

 

[Planogirl]

I know the feeling. We were recently given documents to show our possible range of salaries and it was something to see that I was near the bottom after almost four years and that includes a promotion! "Raises" have been either pennies or nothing for all of us during that time. I just love salary freezes.

 

[bigdisneygroup]

We also know the feeling - all bonuses have stopped, no pay raises in the last two years and for the past year, we've had a decrease in pay of 10%. That'll be reinstated once the business is profitable again - here's hoping that 2010 brings that about.

 

[csmommy]

Not only have we not gotten a raise, DH took a 20% pay cut & I work 3-4 days a week now.

I have switched to Geico which cut our car insurance cost by $500.

We eat ALL leftovers so 1 night a week we eat in front of the TV & have a potluck picnic which makes it fun for all.

We do redbox for movie rentals which is free for us b/c DVDONME & BREAKROOM codes always work for us.

Switched ConEd to time of day usage so electricity is cheaper between 10PM - 10AM & all day Saturday & Sunday. Also, we unplug basically eveything when we are not home. House is set at 59 M-F between 8:30am - 3:00pm & 10:30pm - 6:30am.

If it is full price we do not buy it!

We live in Westchester County which has CRAZY high taxes & manage to make it on less then $100,000 per year with a vacation each year to Florida (timeshare & UOS & WDW tickets purchased in advance with tax refund $). We just don't buy things unless we REALLY need it & puchase only on sale. DD has a North Face & a pair of Ugg's & I scour sales now for next year so she has a North Face for next year already at a 40% savings from full price from a store I can return it to any time as long as it hasn't been worn. I shopped the Abercrombie sales for both my kids & stocked up on shirts which cost me $10 or less. You just need to be frugal at every turn & have your family help you.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Not only have we not gotten a raise, DH took a 20% pay cut & I work 3-4 days a week now.

I have switched to Geico which cut our car insurance cost by $500.

We eat ALL leftovers so 1 night a week we eat in front of the TV & have a potluck picnic which makes it fun for all.

We do redbox for movie rentals which is free for us b/c DVDONME & BREAKROOM codes always work for us.
Switched ConEd to time of day usage so electricity is cheaper between 10PM - 10AM & all day Saturday & Sunday. Also, we unplug basically eveything when we are not home. House is set at 59 M-F between 8:30am - 3:00pm & 10:30pm - 6:30am.

If it is full price we do not buy it!

We live in Westchester County which has CRAZY high taxes & manage to make it on less then $100,000 per year with a vacation each year to Florida (timeshare & UOS & WDW tickets purchased in advance with tax refund $). We just don't buy things unless we REALLY need it & puchase only on sale. DD has a North Face & a pair of Ugg's & I scour sales now for next year so she has a North Face for next year already at a 40% savings from full price from a store I can return it to any time as long as it hasn't been worn. I shopped the Abercrombie sales for both my kids & stocked up on shirts which cost me $10 or less. You just need to be frugal at every turn & have your family help you.

Are those sites or programs or the actual codes you type in?

 

[blanq]

I can relate. I work for county government: 0% this year and we have received notice there will be 0% in 2011. DH got a 4/1% increase this month though, but mainly because it is year 4 of a negotiated contract (he is union). I think his next contract negotiations will be bleak, given the economy, and we can accept that. As others have said, we are happy to have jobs. But, the cost of things is going up, especially food and energy costs, which can be hard to cut back on.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

No pay increases here for a few years now...and they switched DH's salary to commission...THAT is painful...there is always that *unknown* figure each month.

 

[momejay]

Join the crew.
I was very thankful for an extra $50 in my pay envelope at Christmas. This was right after the boss cut my hours in half. When people aren't working & are pinching pennies, they aren't making home improvements & our phone isn't ringing.
We have cut out the cable & watch movies & tv online. (Internet access is paid for by work.) We are down to one cell phone that we share & a house phone. To reduce electric bills I made it a rule that only the dining room light may be on after 8PM. We use a candle in the bathroom. Our heat is off & unless it is really cold. We had to resort to food stamps just to get by & I am one that uses sales papers & coupons to the fullest. I feel like all we eat is pasta & my canned tomato sauce.
Good luck!

 

[Irin997]

No raise, COLA adjustment, or merit awards in FY09, FY10, and now FY11. Past two fiscal years (July to June) I've had salary reductions as well as furlough days. I made less this year than I did last year. And FY11 seems to be more of the same...oh joy!

It's easy to be angry....but then I realize that at least I do have a job, even if it really sucks right now to be making what I made in 2007/2008.

All the while child care, groceries, gas, etc has gone up up up!

 

[doclegler]

You're not alone at all. My dh and I were just discussing this a few night ago. Living is SO expensive now, and there's nothing to cover those cost increases anymore.
I understand where you are coming from. Yes, we're glad we have jobs, BUT an increase would really help!

 

[Irin997]

You're not alone at all. My dh and I were just discussing this a few night ago. Living is SO expensive now, and there's nothing to cover those cost increases anymore.
I understand where you are coming from. Yes, we're glad we have jobs, BUT an increase would really help!

This is the part that really makes me mad - not even an inflationary cost of living adjustment.

 

[shelbys mommy]

Again, not alone. DH has not had a bonus in 4 years. He took a 7.5% cut in pay last year. We've all said the price of living has gone up, but nothing to compensate for it. Just the basics you need to live on has risen & even from cutting back on everything we are still living check to check. Here's to hoping that 2010 is better for us all.

 

[csmommy]

Are those sites or programs or the actual codes you type in?

Codes

You can find others here: http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-codes/

 

[Disney-Kim]

My DH and I have not had raises in 2 yrs and I was cut down from full time to part time last year.

but there is hope...it looks like I may be to full time by Summer and DH may get raises by Summer....its something.

but I do agree that the cost of living seems to be going up and up and our pay down and down

 

[turkeymama]

We are with you. DH was laid off almost a year ago with the mortgage company he worked for. 3 years ago, we were bringing in about $70K a year. This year, we are on target to bring home about $38K. Trust me, we know how bad it hurts.

I switched to a different grocery store and try to shop around the sales. I'm doing good and averaging about $100/wk for a family of four. I cut out driving on the interstate when I can avoid it. It actually saves on gas. I try to keep the thermostat under control, as well as the water usage. Unfortunately, DH seems to be extremely thin-blooded these days and he stays cold. So he cranks up the thermostat and takes hot showers until there is no hot water left. I want to beat him, but that is for another thread.

Once you cut expenses down to the bare bones, there is only so much left to trim.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Codes

You can find others here: http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-codes/

Thank you! I had no idea!