Office Hacks to Save You Money
When working from home is no longer an option. Try these office hacks to save you money when you need to return to working from the office.
Working from home provided so many benefits like better work-life balance, increased flexibility, comfort and convenience. However, this all changed abruptly when my employer announced everyone was to return back to working from the office.
The biggest benefit of working from home for our little family was the savings on expenses like gas, parking, coffee and lunch. This was a significant advantage especially since we’re focused on paying off our debts as quickly as possible.
Reality Check
Once we were informed we had to return to the office, I immediately realized the significant impact it would have on our budget. I began to worry about how we’d manage the extra expenses just so I could get to the office each day. So, I made a note of everything that now needed to be accounted for with working in the office. Such as gas, parking, buying coffee and lunch each day.
It turned out we only needed to go into the office three days a week. Instead of the full five, which was a huge relief. This change immediately saved us at least $100 per week. It was time to drill down to find ways to cut costs related to going into the office.
The Big Costs
Gas and parking are the two biggest expenses for our family. Unfortunately, we’re not able to avoid these costs because our children attend out-of-zone schools and they’re still too young to use public transport on their own.
After some research, I found a convenient and reasonably priced parking option near the office. City parking can be extreme, with daily rates sometimes reaching $30. Initially, the car park I chose seemed affordable but I later discovered a nearby option that saved me $5 a day.
Of course, I took full advantage of these savings, especially since the new car park is secure and eliminates the hassle of remembering to pay via an app. Unlike the previous car park, where I once forgot to pay and returned to find a ticket on my windshield, costing me about $80. It was an unnecessary expense but a valuable lesson learned.
With petrol prices being so high, every bit of savings counts whether it’s from fuel discount days or stacking fuel discounts. Making the most of any opportunities to save on fuel and only using the car when absolutely necessary is always a priority for saving money. Also, planning journeys to accomplish everything in one trip instead of making multiple trips.
Earlier this year, we signed up for an app through my employer that offers regular petrol discounts along with free coffee, pies and car wash discounts each month. Who doesn’t love free coffee or pies? We now use this app weekly to maximize our petrol savings and it also helps reduce costs for my husband’s vehicle. It’s amazing how paying for petrol through an app can lead to such great savings and be so convenient.
The Small Costs
Small expenses can really add up as I discovered with those little purchases at new coffee shops and lunch spots near the office. My budget for coffee and lunch quickly depleted so I had to make adjustments to stay on track with our debt repayment plan and manage our family finances effectively.
Investing in a travel mug has significantly cut down my coffee costs. Treating myself to only one coffee purchase each day at the office. Outside of this, my travel mug is my “go to”. Making coffee in my travel mug before leaving home has become a habit that has saved a lot of money. Additionally, making green tea at work has helped avoid unnecessary spending on other drinks.
Buying lunch at the office cost about $15 each day as I often forgot to bring my homemade lunch. Leading to unnecessary expenses. This habit was adding up until one day, in a rush, I used one of my kids’ strawberry-picking buckets to pack some fruit and snacks. This “snack bucket” got me through the day without buying lunch. Now, I consistently use the snack bucket, saving me at least $50 each week.
Office Hacks
Why not try these office hacks to save you money while working in the office:
- Bring Your Own Lunch – Instead of buying lunch every day, prepare and bring your own meals. This can significantly cut down on daily expenses.
- Use Public Transportation or Carpool – If feasible, use public transportation or carpool with colleagues to reduce commuting costs like gas and parking fees.
- Limit Coffee Shop Visits – Buying coffee or tea from cafes daily can add up quickly. Consider making your own at the office. Or, invest in a travel mug so you can brew or make your own coffee at home and take it with you. This reduces the costs of buying coffee which can add up significantly over time.
- Bring Your Own Water Bottle – Use a reusable water bottle and refill it at the office instead of buying bottled water or other drinks.
- Avoid Impulse Buys – Resist the temptation to buy snacks, drinks or other items from vending machines or nearby stores. Bring your own snacks and beverages from home.
- Seek Out Office Perks – Take advantage of any benefits your office offers such as employee discounts, wellness programs or free seminars eg petrol discounts or discounts at retailers or gym memberships.
- Plan and Budget – Create a budget for work-related expenses and stick to it. This helps you track where your money is going and identify areas where you can save.
- Use Office Resources Wisely – Instead of purchasing supplies like pens, notepads or folders on your own. Utilize office supplies provided by your employer.
- Loyalty rewards – Ensure you benefit from loyalty rewards like when out buying coffee. Remember to get your coffee card stamped so you get your free coffee when enough stamps have been collected.
- Daily deals – Keep a look out for daily lunch deals around your office so if you are intending to go out for lunch one day you can take advantage of these deals.
Summary
Incorporate these office hacks into your working day and tweak them as needed or as desired so they work for you and suit your lifestyle. By implementing these tips, you can effectively manage your finances and save money while working in the office.
