There are simple tricks to FORCE your boss to give you a raise… but you have to be willing to make a big sacrifice, KEVIN O’LEARY reveals

Dear Kevin,

I’m in my mid-thirties; I’ve been working at the same events firm of a hundred employees for the last three and a half years and I’m fed up.

For the past two years, I’ve received a two percent raise even though I have consistently overperformed my goals.

Plus, I was hired as an assistant to help plan and execute parties for corporate treats and fancy birthdays. 

But my manager quit six months after I was hired and I’ve been doing his job, too, ever since.

I know that the business isn’t doing fantastically and our events calendar isn’t as packed as it was even a year ago, but I don’t think that means that I should forget about my own needs.

I stupidly got myself into credit card debt in my late 20s and I’ve been diligently paying it off, but a few more dollars every week will certainly lift the burden.

How do I approach my worn-out boss and tell him that I need a better raise?

I don’t want to damage the relationship with the company or get rejected, and I don’t have the energy to quit and start looking for something else.

Please help.

Raise Ready

Raise Ready,

You’ve brought up two serious problems, but your first issue is credit card debt.

One of the reasons that I have ownership in credit card companies is that if you’re stupid enough to pay 23 percent interest on your debt, then I’m smart enough to profit off you.

So, pay off your credit card debt as soon as possible. I’ve written about how you can do that.

Now to problem number two: Why am I not appreciated at work? Why am I not being paid more?

This is a perennial complaint in all industries, all around the world. Here’s the straight answer: If you’re not considered a great employee, it’s not your manager’s fault, it’s your fault!

Your only job when you work for someone else is to make them look good. That’s how you build equity in the relationship. Your boss doesn’t need a friend. They don’t want another friend. Your boss wants somebody who makes their life easier and makes them more productive, so they look better to their boss.

That’s the only thing that matters.

If you’re able to do that, it doesn’t matter what sector of the economy you’re in, over time, word about you gets out, and you build equity in your industry, in your sector, in your business.

Then, you can find a new job.

That’s the leverage you need to get a raise.

But first, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, ‘Do I have the executional skills that I claim to have?’

If you truly believe that you’re worth more than what you’re getting paid, then start exploring alternative jobs in your industry and get an offer.

When you sit down with your boss, usually at an annual review, present your performance metrics over the last year, and state what you think you deserve. If you’re over performing, as you say you are, then show him the data.

But you must be prepared to walk if you don’t get what you want. The only way to have this negotiation is to know that you’re wanted somewhere else.

This gets delicate because, most of the time, if you are underpaid and you get a better offer, you’ll take it.

So, what I’m advocating for is for you to move jobs… but only if you’re as good as you say you are.

Dear Kevin,

I first heard the phrase ‘invest in your health’ on a podcast a few years ago. The guest host, who was a doctor, said that health is wealth and the best investment is in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

I’ve since devoted my life to healthy living. I have a gym membership. I take my supplements. I eat organic foods. And I stay up to date on all my doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions.

I’ve never felt better, but I’m draining my bank account in the process.

After crunching the numbers, I’ve realized that I’m spending over $2,000 just on my healthy lifestyle.

How can I cut down the amount of money I’m spending on taking care of myself while still maintaining my health?

Happy, Healthy, Broke

Happy, Healthy, Broke

It’s a great question, unfortunately, the answer is that staying healthy is expensive, but it’s worth it!

If you think being healthy drains your bank account, try being sick.

There are a lot of free apps that help you manage your diet. I use Lose It, which I don’t have a financial interest in.

Not only does it analyze your caloric intake, but it also breaks down what types of food you should be eating.

You’ll find out pretty quickly that eating the amount of protein required for a proper diet is not cheap. That’s why most people consume too many empty carbs, which are inexpensive. And so they end up being unhealthy because they don’t have the protein input they need.

I assume you’re probably spending too much on restaurants or ordering food in. Obviously, that’s the most expensive way to eat – and it’s not always the best way either because restaurants sneak added sugars, fats and salts into the food to keep you coming back for more.

You’re better off eating at home. You can probably shave 20 percent off your costs right there.

But the real expensive for some is in supplements. You can easily spend 40 to 50 percent of your ‘health’ budget on vitamins, powders and whatever else you think you need.

I suggest you find a reputable wellness clinic and get a blood analysis of your deficiencies. 

Everybody has deficiencies, but find out what you really need: vitamin D or E or B complex or C?

Pay for that test once a year, and then buy.

Most people assume they’re deficient in everything because they read some blog that says they should take vitamin D, but that’s not true.

But stay on this track, investing in health always pays off.