I have a job I really love. I like my boss, I like my project manager (a great friend, not just a work friend). The owners of the company are good people. I can take any day off I want, I can leave early if I need to. It's really a solid job. One issue. Pay. It's not great. So I went out looking for other ones. I've been here 10 years and I enjoy going to work which is rare, but the money is becoming an issue. I have 2 kids and a house and I need more. I went on some interviews. Got about 5 offers. Shocked. All for the same position at other companies. The lowest is 20k more..the highest is 25k more.
I want to stay where I am. I don't need them to match the highest offer but I do need them to beat the lowest. I don't want to move to a huge company with 100k employed bc your just a number to these people. Production slides and it's first in first out. So, I'm going to ask for more money.
Here is my plan, let me know if it's good or bad or just needs tweaking please. I'm going to explain my situation. I'm severely underpaid. I need more money. I've been here 10 years. Get along with everyone. Never sick, never late, never missed a single deadline. I treat that job like I own the company bc of my relationships with management. But I need more money. I'm not going to tell them about the other offers. Just I need more. I don't want to force someone to match an offer bc of an ultimatum. This will ruin the relationships I have. If they don't give it to me, by the time background check is completed at the offer I accepted I'm leaving. I won't give them a chance to match. This is the chance. If they want me it has to be bc they want me, not bc they felt forced to keep me while they look for a cheaper replacement.
What do you guys think? Am I stupid for even doing this and considering taking 20k to stay in a place where I'm happy instead if 25k to move on? Should i tell them about the offer?
I really need advice. Please