<human>: Provide a brief overview of the text.

Maybe you guys can help me out.

I've been working for my current employer for over 3 1/2 years. I started out as pretty raw and inexperienced in my field, but I have quickly improved and have even won a handful of awards for the company with my work.

I love my job, but the check just isn't enough anymore. I make enough to cover the bills without too much trouble and I realize that there are plenty of others out there who aren't so lucky, but I still think that I deserve a bit more compensation for my loyalty to the company and the quality of my work.

I ran some numbers when trying to figure what I'd want to ask for, and that's when I got a bit intimidated by the challenge of actually going into the boss's office and asking for it. After this year's tax increase and increases to our health insurance costs in each of the last two years, I would need to get a 10% raise JUST TO HAVE MY CHECK BE THE SAME AS IT WAS FOR MY FIRST WEEK AT THE COMPANY!!!

Would I be out of my mind to ask for 20-25% more? I'm not anywhere near a high tax bracket. This would be a difference of a few thousand dollars for a relatively stable and profitable company.

Anyways, I feel like I am entirely deserving of a raise, but I have also gone through most of my life being humble enough to just do a good job and let the rewards come as they may. I realize that this just isn't how getting ahead in life works anymore, but that doesn't make me prepared to combat it.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
<bot>: Been at same place for 3.5 years. Doing great work. How do I ask for an increase in pay that reflects my tenure/success?