<prompt> Human: Background:Company has about 50 employees. Based in Southern California. I am 38 and Ive been with this company for 7 years. Im head of our webmarketing department. Current salary is 99,000. Last years bonus was 25,000. The bonus is an arbitrary number and not based on a percentage of annual growth or any specific figure. So this year I might get the same bonus or more or less. Whats also important to me is my annual salary because, unlike the bonus, my salary generally cant be reduced by any arbitrary decision that my boss might make one day. I can only see my annual salary getting decreased if the company hits on hard times or what-not which hasnt happened. So its important for me to get an annual bump. Whats also a huge factor to me is that I am one of the more critical members in the company as its a decent-sized business with very few managers. Every decision either goes through my boss, me or another manager. Yes I can be replaced but it wouldnt be easy. The other manager makes about what I make but hes a 5 owner of the company so its not a fair apples to apples comparison with our entire compensation.I dont believe that my position has hit its salary cap. I think for a company of our size and our revenue, I should be making at least 120,000 bonus. I dont think the bonus should be tied to my day-to-day salary. A bonus is exactly that: a bonus because the company is doing well. But whether the company does well or not, Im still putting in my 55-60 weekly hours, being on call 247, handling a group of employees, and doing what Im paid to do. Like everybody else, I have goals in life that do not necessarily tie in with the company. For example I want to buy a home in the next 2-4 years. I need to save money for my kids future educations. I want to save money for my retirement.So here are my options if he doesnt want to give me a raise:- Grudgingly accept it like I imagine most employees would and go back to work with my tail tucked firmly between my legs.- Try to offer some kind of defense so that he will re-consider. Possible defense 1: I dont want to but I believe I can go get a job somewhere else in our niche industry and make at least what Im making now. This is a last-ditch effort kind of defense. I dont really want him to think that I am not loyal. Possible defense 2: I wont be able to put in 55-60 hours a week anymore because I need to make up the income that I feel like I deserve. So I could easily start a webmarketing consultancy business on the side with my industry contacts and make at least 10K-20K annually on my own downtime. I had a consultancy business a few years ago and it was fairly easy money. I feel like I can talk him into a raise. My boss and I have a really good relationship and I know he thinks highly of me. But money talks and I know how bosses are with money. They put up their shield that they will try to prevent you from getting through so if there is anything you think I should say, let me know. Any thoughts would be appreciated.  <response>: I dont want to but I believe I can go get a job somewhere else in our niche industry and make at least what Im making now. This is a last-ditch effort kind of defense. I dont really want him to think that I am not loyal.Loyalty only gets you so far before it turns into the company taking advantage of you. Youre already underpaid by tens of thousands of dollars and arguably doing the work of two people. If raises arent coming this year, then chances are bonuses arent either. Are you okay with taking a 25,000 pay cut this year?It wouldnt hurt you to shop around and see what other companies are out there that will help you reach your personal objectives in a more expedient manner. 