How To Reduce Costs When Working From Home

There are huge advantages to working remotely from home. Whether you’re self-employed or your employer allows you to work from home,  it can save you a lot of money. It is estimated that the average worker will save up to $4,000 per year (Source: USA Today: Money.) No more shelling out on commuting, work clothes, expensive lunches, and lattes every day. 

While you will save a lot of money, there are some costs that will rise when you make the switch to working from home. Read on for tips about how to reduce these costs. 

Internet Contract

Chances are, you will need a high-speed, reliable internet connection. There are so many options to choose from including internet without cable [is possible] or bundled with your landline and entertainment package. 

If you have had your contract with your broadband supplier for more than two years, you probably aren’t receiving the special rate you signed up for anymore. 

Shop around for a better deal. Most companies will throw in other freebies in order to entice you to switch including tech, entertainment passes, and coupons. Even if you don’t want to switch providers, you can call up your existing provider and ask them if they are able to price match other companies out there, or at least reduce your bill slightly as a gesture of goodwill. 

Food Costs

When you work in an office, it’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars per month on lunches, coffee, drinks with co-workers. That’s a great saving, but you’re going to see the cost of your weekly grocery bill rise sharply. Add to that how easy it is to have take out delivered in minutes, your wallet and your health might start to suffer. 

Here’s where a bit of planning can go a long way. Meal planning and meal prepping will not only save you money, but it can also improve your health. Plus, who wants to spend their precious lunch break cooking? 

Spend some time at the weekend planning your food, drinks, and snacks for the week, then cook and store them in advance.

Energy Use

Working from home means you’ll be using more electricity, gas, and water. You’ll start to see an increase in your energy bills. As with your other contracts, you’ll want to shop around to ensure you’re on the best tariff out there, but there are also things that you can do to reduce it further. Firstly, ensure that your home has adequate insulation. Turn off radiators in rooms you don’t use and use energy-efficient appliances

Claim Tax Deductions For Your Home Office

If you’re self-employed, you could be eligible for a tax deduction. If you use a part of your home exclusively for work, then you need to take advantage of this. You don’t have to have a dedicated home office, even a small desk counts. 

This is one of the most under claimed tax deductions by freelancers and the self-employed, mainly because, like most tax laws, it can seem complicated, so people don’t take the time to look into it. 

Conclusion 

The financial benefits of working from home can be huge, but there are always other ways to reduce the costs and make your money go even further. 

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

Richie

My name is Richie and I am a 40 year old father of two, a daughter and son. I am married to a beautiful woman named Destiny. She is the foundation of our family, and without her, none of this would be possible. During the day I work as a network security administrator for a local school district. At night I can be found illustrating books, working on websites, or creating music, but more than likely though I am spending time with my kids.

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