There was alot of debt, left him, paid off all debts, filed for divorce. He doesn't want to give me not one cent for the loan I co-signed for him nor from the credit cards he actively used to rack up the debts in my name. He was an authorized user, that's it.

Great job, fantasma! You've had a productive year.

Thank you!

Pending challenges, time for me to concentrate on saving.

This is the year I will finish up the money side of immigration proceedings for all of my siblings. Its going to be expensive for me with my salary. shrug

I have to put school on hold until, I take care of all the immigration stuff.

Will have to get a part time job, work overtime when available, get roommates and save as much cash as I can this year.

It sucks I have to work more than I do, even though my debts are paid off, but I can't concentrate on how I don't like the cards I have been dealt.

I can only concentrate on maximizing my opportunities.

Fantasma, how will the (hopefully smooth and uneventful!) immigration change your family's financial outlook? Will you feel the need to help to support your siblings once they're in the country, or are they old enough that they'll be independent quickly?

Most of them are old enough to work, so that will be a huge load off of me. Which is why I am working to get them here. They are very young in that they will adapt, go to school and work. It is better than where they are now.

For some time I will have to help but it won't be as much of a strain as it is now.

Do I deserve a raise?

I have been given more responsibilities within my current position.

However the work that I am doing is that of a Team Lead for a particular unit.

Yet I am not paid as a Team Lead but rather as just a worker under another Team Leader.

Let me clarify I was hired to be under group A.

Later on down the line I was advised I would be a Team Lead for Group B (no compensation).

I still have duties under group A, though.

There are other people that have to do work in Group B which I am the Team Lead for.

These people are experts in this area yet they are not catching pertinent information for the use cases, however I am.

Do I shut up and say nothing or ask for a raise?

I am grateful for the opportunity and the trust to do a great job especially since I am not considered an expert in the areas I am a Team Lead for.

Pretty soon we start on Test Scripts, creating glossaries and user guides.

All time consuming detailed tasks I will have to do and sign off on my own (no raise).

Opinions or brainstorming ideas are much appreciated if you read this thread.

Ask for a raise.

It's hard for an outsider to determine whether you deserve the raise or not, but either way, without asking you'll definately not get it.

I wouldn't just barge in and ask for a raise though. I'd make sure to get some good examples of work as a teamlead you've done. And make sure you're boss knows about it. Then with these examples get into a meeting. If you want go for a promotion rather than just a raise. As I understand there isn't a teamlead for team B at the moment. If you've taken on the responsibilities for the job already, get it formalized. Agree on that first, then discuss the raise that's part of it

It's good not only for the money coming in, but also, when/if you're looking for a different job.

Thank you for your input.

I want to add I don't want the raise just because I work hard for the unit I was hired for : but for the added duties which are completely outside of my job duties and I do them well.

Sounds to me like you deserve a promotion. Sonja's right: build up your case and ask for a meeting!

Agreed... get all your ducks in a row then ask for the meeting. This way you have something to show when you go in asking for the position or raise.

I sent the letter, already.

I am scared of their responses, I am glad I stated my thoughts and what I believe they should do.

The following scenarios played in my mind obsessively, and I have trying to not think about it all weekend.

Back to work, and letting it go; I did exactly what I set out to do. It's up to them what they will happen.

They can say no.

They can give me a raise, and I get insulted/hurt/angry by the amount.

They can give me a raise and I am satisfied; may not necessarily be what I am shooting for.

They can give me a promotion to the actual position I am doing now with a raise ; may not necessarily be what I am shooting for.

They can give me everything I am shooting for.

Update, I got nothing but a thank you for stepping up to the plate.

We recognize your hard work.

Thank you, but no raise.

Awesome! Just the kind of place you want to keep working at.

That's my brothers' response.

No matter what issues I have going on right now, he states to start looking for classes to register for.

Get a graduate degree and get out of purgatory/dodge.

Forget everything and just concentrate on getting through school.

Sigh, bury my self in work.