Should I Ask For a Raise Too?

[Anonymous]

Advice Please.

I have been working for an extremely HNW family in NYC for close to 3 years. I work 70+ hours a week. A couple months ago I got up the courage and asked MB if I could lower my hours to around 50, because I am getting burned out and missing out on a social life. She said yes!!!

I am very passive person and feel severely uncomfortable talking about money. I make an "okay" hourly wage, but nowhere near great. I am an excellent nanny, my NF tells me that non-stop. I know I have been earning almost half of what other high end nannies earn in the area. I love my NF and their children so much, but they are cheap! I haven't had a raise or bonus in 3 years.

I would like to ask for a big raise, but I'm afraid they are going to cut my salary even more.

Should I ask for what I'm worth?

I am tired of discounting my services for people who can clearly afford the best!

[Anonymous]

I would not ask for a raise so close to when you just asked for something else big.

You should however, tell her with your new free time you'll be volunteering at your church or some shit and would she sign a letter of recommendation for you? (Pro tip: I draft all my own and then give it to them to sign. That way it says exactly what I want it to.)

Then take the letter and go to a nanny agency and ask THEM what hourly rate they could get you. Then take THAT info back to you MB and say "Hey, I was doing a bit of research and discovered I should be earning at least $25 based on these qualifications and this zip code and my experience. Right now I'm only getting $15. Would you bump me up to $20 now and then $25 at the start of the new year?"

Then if she says no, you're primed with the nanny agency and already have your letter. Do it now while people are looking for new nannies before the school year starts.