Michelle isn’t the only one transitioning to remote work. I recently took on a fully remote job, and starting this Monday, I’m working from home.
This isn’t my first rodeo with remote work; I’ve done it with two other jobs. Even though I know what to expect, it’s still an adjustment. One of the biggest changes, apart from communicating with coworkers solely through a screen, is my budget. Working from home affects my expenses in ways I didn’t foresee, and it’s not all about savings.
Here’s how working from home impacts my wallet, both positively and negatively.
**Saving on Gas**
First off, I’m saving a lot on gas since I’m not commuting anymore. I wake up, do some house chores, make breakfast, and then start work from my couch. I might not even need to leave the house! This is my first month working remotely, but I wouldn’t be surprised if my gas expenses come in under budget. I’m also excited about the reduced wear and tear on my car, meaning fewer oil changes and maintenance costs.
**Saving on Eating Out**
Being at home eliminates any excuse for eating out for breakfast or lunch. When I worked in an office, I sometimes didn’t pack my lunch and ended up buying it. This usually happened about once a week, but those costs add up! Now, working from home means I won’t have to buy lunch unless I decide to treat myself.
**Saving on Work Wardrobe**
I don’t spend a lot on clothes since I’m trying to be frugal and pay off debt. However, I do like to have a few good outfits for work. I recently invested in upgrading my wardrobe, and thanks to my new remote job, those clothes should last longer. Most of the time, I’ll be working in pajamas, except for video meetings, of course.
**Increased Grocery Costs**
Staying home means I’ll be spending more on groceries since I’ll be eating lunch at home every day. This will likely bump up our grocery bill this month. I’ll need to be careful about not snacking just because food is easily accessible—that’s a quick way to increase both the grocery budget and my waistline.
**Increased Office Expenses**
After accepting the remote job, I realized I needed to upgrade my office equipment. My five-year-old laptop struggles with WordPress, and I also need a printer, along with a steady supply of pens and notebooks. Plus, my electricity bill might go up since I’ll be home more. These are items I used to buy occasionally, but now I’ll need them more frequently.
So, is working from home cheaper? For me, I think it will be. The savings on gas, car maintenance, and work wardrobe should outweigh the slight increase in grocery costs. Working from home can boost productivity and save money—if you have the chance to do it, I highly recommend it!
Have you ever worked from home? Did it save you money?