Fear of being told no, I suspect? Hard to say. Some are so attached to the work they have they fear having to look for better work? It’s a mystery to me.

They probably figure she’s just dabbling and doesn’t need the money, Paula. Not a great message to be sending.

We told that to a guy who did some masonry work for us. His price was WAY too low for the quality he put out! I hope he took the advice — he’s worth a lot more than he thinks he is.

Both of my longest-running clients are magazines, and even they’ve raised their rates in the past 15 years.

Heck, back when I hired a guy to mow my lawn I had to TELL him to raise his rates after a couple of years. He charged $15 for a large yard that others charged at least $25-35 to do, depending on services (and this guy mowed, edged, and got the weeds from cracks in the sidewalk and driveway). When gas prices rose I just started adding an extra bonus/tip and told him if nothing he needed to raise rates to offset his expenses. I suppose it’s no surprise that he just disappeared one year. Either he worked himself into exhaustion, or he landed a job that paid more, or he moved out of the area.