If you got a 3% raise but make $100K+, is it still nothing?

[Zeze]

2017 inflation rate is about 1.9-2%. That leaves me with 1% true raise. I'm just happy I got the 3%.

I mean theoretically, inflation affects everything you buy in life. But is it really true?

Some things are increased on a flat rate rather than a percentage. At a higher income, I'd like to deceive myself to think that 3% is still a lot.

Am I delusional? I mean that 3% was also compounded from the last raise I got which was also 3%. But then again, inflation also compounds from the prior years too right?

What are your thoughts? How happy should I be or should you be ridiculing me?

 

[Darwin333]

You only make $100K? Of course it's nothing!

 

[Zeze]

You only make $100K? Of course it's nothing!

Who gives a crap, I'll say it. Yea, I'm only about 140K

 

[Ns1]

sounds about right...standard raise at my company is 2.5%. You can tell how well you did last year by how much over or under 2.5% you are.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Anything under $6K is chump change no matter the pay. Extra $250/check is something but not really anything.

 

[BurnItDwn]

2017 inflation rate is about 1.9-2%. That leaves me with 1% true raise. I'm just happy I got the 3%.

I mean theoretically, inflation affects everything you buy in life. But is it really true?

Some things are increased on a flat rate rather than a percentage. At a higher income, I'd like to deceive myself to think that 3% is still a lot.

Am I delusional? I mean that 3% was also compounded from the last raise I got which was also 3%. But then again, inflation also compounds from the prior years too right?

What are your thoughts? How happy should I be or should you be ridiculing me?

It depends
Did your health insurance costs Jump? Maybe deductible went up, or premiums went up, or total out of pocket went up in some way or another?
Has you state or county or city increased one or another tax over last year?

Some fixed costs, like fixed rate P&I on a mortgage won't change.
Most likely, this 3% raise will "feel like" a 1-2% raise when all is said and done, unless you got screwed by some big bump in sales tax or medical insurance or property tax or something else ...

 

[madoka]

Who gives a crap, I'll say it. Yea, I'm only about 140K

Damn. I know insecure, manlet car salesmen that make more than you. I've seen his paystub.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Meh, that is one benefit about being at a consulting firm - we all have expectations of 6 - 12% raises (more towards the high end most years). The difference is you're worked like a slave practically vs. industry. Pick your poison.

At a certain point though, I will top off my salary, jump to a more relaxing position in an industry and I honestly won't care if it's a 2 or 3% raise year to year simply based on having a relaxing job. Simply boils down to trade-offs.

 

[Exterous]

If it makes you feel better my wife got a $250 raise for getting her masters degree. I feel like $0 would have been less insulting

 

[deadlyapp]

I only got about a 3% raise this year. First time in six years I haven't gotten a 10%+ raise in my company. Sad pandas.

And yes I'm right over the 100k threshold

 

[WaTaGuMp]

My math says no, its not nothing, its 3% more.

 

[snoopy7548]

If you're making $100k+ and you're financially responsible, a $3k raise is almost nothing. But if you enjoy nearly everything about your job, I guess you can't really complain.

 

[Red Squirrel]

A raise is still better than nothing but yeah it's probably not that much. I reached my salary cap for my job a long time ago so no more raises. We sometimes get small 0.5% or 1% raises but it has to be negotiated at every union contract so they are not something that is set in stone or that can be depended on.

Either way it's not really enough to keep up with increasing cost of living. It would have to be like 5-10% and I don't see that ever happening. They will lay off people before they start doing that. Either way when we manage to win those small raises in the union contract it's still a victory so take what we can.

 

[child of wonder]

My raise was 3.7% which is $500/mo more before taxes. It's noticeable.

 

[Zeze]

My raise was 3.7% which is $500/mo more before taxes. It's noticeable.

Is it really after inflation

 

[child of wonder]

Is it really after inflation

Yes. Inflation isn't a magical "POOF! Everything costs 3% more today!" My mortgage payment stays unchanged, car payment, property taxes aren't going up much this year, utility rates mostly unchanged, cell phone, etc. Bills are staying mostly static. Food, entertainment, and other goods and services may go up in 2018 but that's only part of our monthly spend.