[blk911]

Wishing the best for you, but to be honest, at 30, you still have some dues to pay. Those of us at 50+ remember the 80's (when we were 30 something).

Never hurts to ask for an increase, just be well prepared to justify your request. A bigger question you need to entertain is this, how well is your employer doing? Record profits, go for it, if not, might be a little tougher. Generally, companies do what they perceive that they need to do in order to survive, nobody ever said it was fair. Put yourself in their shoes. Another question you need to ask yourself, can they find someone else to do my job, just as well for less pay?

At any rate, I wish you and your wife well. Tough times don't last forever. Hang in there.