Our financial status is not at its best. Our household expenses have bloated while our cash inflow has decreased. I think I already mentioned that I no longer receive windfalls. Also, my husband’s salary increase this year is below 5% of his last year’s salary. While we are not on the phase where our cash outflow is more than our cash inflow, the fact that I sometimes regret our decision to invest in real properties is alarming. I don’t think my salary will augment in the near future. Although I heard that there is a bill seeking the increase of salaries of government employees, I’m sure that the increase would not be that dramatic. Spell INCOME TAX! To receive a higher salary, my only recourse is to pass the exam and automatically hop to Salary Grade 23, which is a few notches higher than my salary grade. Believe me, it’s easier said than done. I’m still hopeful though...