I'm not really sure if this is the right community, or even how to phrase this.
I'm an older person, and after being out of work for a year and a half during the pandemic, I ended up in what is in many respects one of the best jobs I've ever had. I work remotely, with an amazing and supportive team. There's no micromanaging, they just leave you alone to do your work on your own terms, and that's pretty much all they care about.
But this winter, we got a 3% raise. Yes I'm sure you all know the actual cost of living is up something like 8%, so I'm functionally making less than when I started. They've given me all the physical tools I need, hardware and software and things, just… Not money. We do have benefits, but the health insurance is terrible—I've already paid $6,000 out of pocket in the last 6 months. I have of course also been given more responsibility in the job.
It's a relatively small (under 300 people) but publicly traded company, as far as I can tell, it's profitable, although I'm not a financial person and books are hard to read.
I don't want to try to find another job, because, well, it's super hard (my skills are pretty narrow and not really sought after), and working conditions matter to me.
I don't know what to do. I can't afford not to work, even for like a week, but I don't like this feeling. I would very much appreciate any thoughts or advice, or just an ear to talk to.