6 Ways to Give Yourself a Tax-Free Raise

Unless you have a specific need and the money to pay for it, don't wander aimlessly through the mall or surf the internet just to see what looks good. Josep Suria/Shutterstock

These days, with the cost of just about everything going up, who isn’t looking for ways to increase their income? If you’re hoping the boss will come through with a healthy raise, your unemployment benefits will be extended, or Uncle Sam approves a healthy cost-of-living increase on your benefit check, I wouldn’t get too excited. Even if such an increase is exceptional, it’s not likely to do a lot of good.

By the time a raise is adjusted for taxes, unemployment income disappears, or you lock eyeballs with a Social Security monthly check increase of $1.50, your bank account is not likely to see much of a change. And if that’s not bad enough, it’s a common problem that when you earn more, you automatically spend more. Reckless spending can consume a lot of cash—fast.