One year I didn't raise my rates but I added days off, Easter Monday & Christmas Eve Day. I figured I was giving myself a raise without raising the rates. Last year I went up $2/day for full time and $5/day for part-time because I felt it was time to pull myself in line with the competition once I had established myself with a good reputation. This year I'm not increasing rates but I will most likely raise them $1/day next year.

I think you have to be careful to look at the type of people you attract, doctors and lawyers or office and blue collar workers and think about their incomes. My clients are the downtown office workers and they don't make a fortune. I know. I used to be one of them.

As Playfelt said, my crafting supplies expenses were higher a few years ago than they were last year because I have a buildup in my craft drawers and you streamline with each passing year in so many ways to save money and time.