Want a Raise for 2022? Make These 3 Moves Now

More money could be yours if you play your cards right.

What would getting a raise mean to you? Would it allow you to boost your savings account balance? Pay off nagging credit card debt you've been carrying for far too long? Or simply have more flexibility in your monthly budget?

There are plenty of good reasons to want a raise. If your goal is to see your pay go up next year, here are some essential moves you can make in the coming weeks.

1. Research salary data

It may be easier to make the case for a salary increase if you can prove that you're not earning a fair wage right now. Sites like Glassdoor and Salary.com let you compare earnings details based on factors such as job title and geographic location (keeping in mind that generally speaking, you'll make less money in a smaller city than you will in a larger one where the cost of living is higher).

It pays to see how your current salary stacks up against the average in your area. If you see that most people with your job title in your city earn $48,000-$58,000 as an annual salary, but you're only earning $42,000, that alone could be an argument for a pay bump. This especially holds true if you're an employee in good standing.

2. Make sure you've improved on last year's performance review

It's common for workers to get feedback from their managers in the form of a performance review at the end of the year. If you had a review last December, now's the time to take a look at the things your boss asked you to improve. If you can show that you've done so, you may have an easier time getting a raise.

Maybe your manager asked you to be more detail-oriented. If you make an effort in the coming weeks to turn in cleaner reports that are free of errors, that'll show that you took that feedback to heart.

3. Volunteer for a project to finish this year

Sometimes, workers need to go above and beyond to make the case for a raise. So now's a good time to volunteer to take on a new initiative. You can either suggest one that will add value to your company or agree to head up a project your boss has introduced. Doing so will send the message that you're willing to embrace challenges and take on more responsibility. And if you complete that project in the next few weeks or months, that will be fresh in your boss's mind when you sit down to talk salary for 2022.

Getting a raise isn't a given, and not all companies dish out pay boosts on a yearly basis. If you want to see a higher paycheck hit your bank account in 2022, you may have to fight for it and be strategic in your approach to negotiating. These moves could help set the stage for more earnings -- and more financial freedom in the new year.