4 ways to “give yourself a raise” when inflation keeps cutting your pay

Inflation has been stealing from your paycheck, and all signs indicate that’s not going to change anytime soon. Even if your salary hasn’t changed, the cost of groceries, gas and essential services have risen, leaving many Americans feeling like they’re working harder for less purchasing power. A 2025 Bankrate analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that consumer prices are 23. 6 percent higher than they were in February 2020. Waiting for a raise or promotion or starting a side hustle might seem like the only solution, but here’s a powerful alternative: You can give yourself a raise now. This isn’t about asking your boss for more money (though you absolutely should when the time is right). Instead, you can use these four simple, strategic moves to free up hundreds