The COVID-19 pandemic forced offices around the world to shut their doors, leaving employees to work from home for the foreseeable future. While working from home eliminates certain expenses such as travel and commute costs, there are unexpected costs of working remotely that can quickly add up. Increased use of your heating and cooling systems for example! Fortunately, there are ways to cut some of the unforeseen work from home costs. Read below to learn more!
Food and Drinks
Many assume that food costs are reduced while working from home, but this may not be the case. When working remotely, employees do not need to purchase an individual meal while at or on the way to the office, and they are also not eating out as frequently, whether for a social happy hour with coworkers or a business meeting over a meal. However, eliminating meals eaten away from home results in the need to prepare more meals at home. This can cause a noticeable increase in your grocery bill, which is one unexpected cost of remote working.
Fortunately, there are several simple ways to reduce your grocery bills and food costs while working from home. It helps to create a budget and calculate costs while you shop, as this limits overspending. You can also take time to meal prep, which involves preparing several days worth of meals at once and storing them in the refrigerator or freezer until they are to be eaten. Meal prepping not only helps reduce food costs by maximizing ingredients but helps save time by eliminating the need to prepare individual meals on short notice. You can also pay attention to sales, coupons, and promotions at your local grocery store, as these savings can add up over time.
Office Supplies
When working in an office, many of the necessary supplies are provided by the employer, and the employee can choose to bring ancillary supplies of their own. As more employees began working from home, they quickly realized they needed to purchase supplies of their own to maximize their productivity and make their remote work easier. While some supplies are more obvious, others are surprisingly expensive, especially when paid for out of pocket as opposed to by the employer.
Certain supplies are commonly required regardless of specific job or industry, such as a computer, desk, lighting, stationery, and chair. However, some jobs require multiple monitors, keyboards, mouses, electrical power strips, microphones, and other specific supplies that can be shockingly costly. Certain employers may be willing to provide financial assistance for work-from-home supplies and equipment. However, this is a case-by-case basis and there are other ways to cut costs on these expenses.
First, consider what is completely necessary for your work-from-home experience. If the supply is a want and not a need, you may be able to work without it and use that money elsewhere. You could also purchase multi-purpose supplies and equipment that you use for occasions other than work. When purchasing supplies, be sure to shop around and find the best possible deals. You may be able to find something on sale, and certain companies may be offering promotions and discounts for remote workers. Expensive purchases can be financed, which increases your short-term financial flexibility by spreading payments over time. Certain purchases can also be written off in your taxes, but be sure to check on your employment status and qualification first.
High Speed Internet
The limits of internet connections around the world are currently being tested. Even though you likely already have the internet at your home, you may quickly find out that it cannot handle the stress of working from home. Video calls, file downloads, and other basic tasks are significantly hindered by slow internet, which can ruin your workday flow and productivity.
Many have simply paid for an upgraded internet connection to make working from home easier. While this may be expensive, certain providers are offering discounts or deals for those working from home, so be sure to explore all options and plans. However, there are other ways to increase your internet connection without paying for an upgrade. Try moving your router closer to your work space, as this may increase the signal strength. You could also opt for a wired connection in your home if possible.
Electric Bill
When working at an office, operating your home’s electrical appliances is not necessary, with few exceptions such as the refrigerator. Lights, HVAC systems, and smaller appliances are usually off or in standby mode. However, most of these appliances need to be on when you work from home. This extra use, in addition to the electricity consumed by your work technology, can cause your electric bill to skyrocket.
There are several simple steps that help lower your electric bill. Be sure to unplug any appliances not currently in use, as they still consume electricity when they remain plugged in. Eliminating these “phantom loads” decreases your home’s electricity usage, which leads to a lower bill. Installing LED light bulbs is another way to reduce your energy bill. These light bulbs provide more comfortable lighting while consuming much less electricity than other types. They also have much longer lifespans. While they used to be much more expensive than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, their price has dropped in recent years to make them much more affordable.
You could also consider upgrading your HVAC system by installing a ductless mini split system. These systems are perfect in home offices for several reasons, as they are so efficient that they lead to lower energy costs and consumption. Additionally, their installation and maintenance processes are simplified relative to other systems, and they are virtually silent during operation. They also create a healthier indoor environment by removing harmful airborne materials and improving air quality, which can lead to increased focus and productivity while working!
Surprise expenses do not have to complicate the remote work experience any more than it already is. Using these simple tips to reduce these unexpected work-from-home expenses can help minimize stress and increase productivity until it is safe to return to the office.
