Receiving a financial windfall, whether it's a surprise inheritance, a lottery win, or a legal settlement, can be both exciting and overwhelming. It's natural to feel a rush of emotion and to want to spend the money right away, but it's important to take a step back and think about how to be smart with your windfall.

Asking for a raise without proper preparations isn’t likely to work, and it can even backfire on you. Here’s how to make a persuasive case and inspire the best possible outcome when negotiating a raise at work.