One of the simplest ways to increase your income is to look for a new full-time job. In fact, many job counselors advise their clients to look for new work every few years as a way to boost their income (and increase their contacts within the industry).

If you receive a 3–5 percent raise every year at your current job, you'll have to work about two to three and a half years before your income goes up by 10 percent. But you may be able to get a 10 percent raise next month by getting a job at another company.

If you do change jobs, however, be sure the new job — with its higher income — doesn't end up costing you more. It could, if the new job is ten miles farther away, requires expensive clothing that must be dry-cleaned, doesn't offer free parking, requires that you carry a cell phone or laptop computer at your cost, and so on.

Before accepting a job offer, ask detailed questions about your new responsibilities and the costs that may be involved. If your new job is with your existing company, don't shy away from asking these same questions. Different departments within large corporations often require different dress codes and standard equipment.