So you've been busy working your fanny off for over two years, hoping your boss will pull you aside and say, "Smith, we really appreciate your work. We're upping your salary by $3 an hour." Well, quit dreaming. If you want more money, you're going to have to ask for it. Use these seven steps to help you get the money you deserve.

• Do your homework. Try America's Career Infonet and other sites to get a good idea of how you compare to others in your field. Don't rule out a raise if you're making more, but don't expect one just because you're making less. Just get the facts.
• Assess yourself. Be honest now. How easy would you be to replace? Know where you excel, where you could stand to improve, and how you have benefited the company. Also note any extra work you've been taking on.
• Consider the timing. If the company is laying off workers, now is probably not a good time to approach your boss. What does your company's future look like? Is it a nonprofit, a struggling startup, or a wealthy corporation?
• Know your limits. If you're ready to walk if you don't get a $1/hr. raise, be prepared to pack. But if you're flexible, know what you'll settle for. How much does your company usually raise pay each year? According to HireMinds.Net, companies typically increase their employees' salaries between 5 and 15 percent annually.
• Build your case. List your accomplishments and special skills. Prepare facts and figures, including comparable salary levels, to give to your employer if necessary. Write down your vision for your future at the company, so your employer knows you're serious about staying.
• Ready? Here we go. Don't just walk in, schedule an appointment with your employer. Relax and be respectful. Assume she doesn't have time to keep up with your accomplishments, and remind her about them instead. Don't bring up personal reasons for needing the raise, like "I just bought a new Lexus, and I really need the extra money." Do not issue threats like, "If you don't give me $5 more per hour, I'm outta here!" She'll probably help you clear your desk.
• Yes or no, make the most of it. If you get the raise, don't forget to say thanks. No matter how good you are, he didn't HAVE to give it to you. If you don't get the raise, find out why. Is money tight? Is it too soon? Is there something you need to work on performance-wise? If that's the case, set some goals and ask to talk to him again in a month or two. Or offer alternatives like added holidays, a flexible work schedule, tuition reimbursement, telecommuting, or a productivity bonus. Above all, don't be shy about asking for fair compensation when you've proven you're valuable to the company.

When you're looking to get a raise, you need to give yourself an honest appraisal of your job performance. How do you excel in these five areas?

• Quantity - Do you build more Elmo toys than everybody else? Pack more cigar boxes?

• Quality - Do you have less defects returned? Has your work been praised for its excellence?

• Added tasks - What jobs have you taken on that you weren't hired to do? Do you take your boss's laundry to the dry cleaners? Sort through the morning mail?

• Added responsibilities - Do you find yourself supervising or training new workers?

• Saving money - How have you saved your company money? Did you put a stop to the overbuying of office supplies? Catch a $1,000 billing error?