<prompt> Human: This past summer I took up an intern job at a starting pay of 8.50 an hour working 3 days a week for a marketing department of an international business located in my hometown. Things escalated very quickly, and I began working pretty much full time and was offered a position during the school year. My unofficial Manager started working from home due to health complications with a daughter, and Ive pretty much taken over the parts of his job that dont involve major financial decisions. Ive never had to ask for a raise at any other job Ive had, but this next semester I will only be working 2 days a week, and I am going to have to pay rent, bills, possibly a car note, etc. Im just wondering if anyone can give me any advice about possibly getting a raise andor if Im even at a point to ask for such.EDIT: Holy crap this blew up overnight...but anyway, thanks for the advice, all of it has been helpful. My boss ended up being out today but I plan on asking for a raise monday using all of the pointers given to me by you guys. Thanks rpersonalfinance!UPDATE: Hey guys, really sorry I never got around to letting you guys know whats up. As it turns out, Ive recently decided on leaving this job at the end of the month moving over an hour away for school and I feel like theres not much point in asking for a raise a month before i leave. But thank all of you for your advice anyway and I will be sure to use it the first chance I get!Assistant: 1. Be prepared to offer a suggested raise amount. They may not ask, but have something. Something reasonable, like 10 or 12 an hour Im basing this off your current pay, nothing else. Also, make sure its a clear number. 10 to 12 is not good. The work Im providing to the office is worth 11hour is better.2. Be prepared to offer to accept a temporary raise, while you are supporting the duties of your manager.Human: Is there any specific method of calculating the actual amount you make for your company, or is it just a generalization? Like I said, Im a complete noob when it comes to business...  <response>: Its a mix of what you provide to the company, your personal worthskill-set, and the amount of money the company has on-hand to pay people.You may feel your worth 11-12, you may offer that in your request, and they may give you 9.50. Thats a 12 raise, which is pretty decent in the macro sense. 