If we’re honest, working from home isn’t always cheaper …
Many people who commute to work may assume that those lucky remote folks are saving “so much” by not having to spend on transit, downtown lunches, and whatever other expenses come up on the way to the office, during the day, and on the way home.
To be fair to them, yes, remote workers don’t have to commute — no gas costs, no train pass, no drive-thru breakfasts. But if you’re a remote worker, looking at your bank accounts, wondering where those savings are, you’re not alone.
The truth is, working from home is more than a location change — it’s a total lifestyle shift. Your house now serves a new purpose: it’s your office and your break room and — let’s be honest – a potential stress zone. Consolidating where you live and work can make it hard to “leave work at work.”
It’s very normal for your spending habits to change because of this. Keep in mind — this is not because you’re careless. You may be searching for a way to “de-stress” and that way may have gradually become online shopping.
And this is important, so take this to heart: while this may feel like a money problem, it’s not. It’s a burnout problem disguised as a money problem.
Choose some simple ways to cut “at home” costs
Let’s start with your “at home” bills — here are a few simple ways to save money, even if you do need to use power all day.
First of all, don’t panic! You don’t need to freeze in your own house or sit wrapped in the dark, wrapped in a blanket. We’re not talking survival mode, just common sense ways to save that won’t make you uncomfortable:
- Adjust the thermostat just for the room you’re in. Not the whole house!
- Plug your stuff into a power strip, and flip it off at the end of the day.
- If you can use a laptop, do that because it requires far less energy than a desktop.
- Work near a window — natural light is better than turning on every lamp!
- Call your internet provider and determine if you’re paying for more speed than you need.
- Set your monitor to go to sleep when you’re not using it.
- Move your router to a better spot that doesn’t cause buffering and a need to upgrade.
- Weather-strip your doors and windows to heat or AC from leaking out.
- Run laundry and dishes at night, during off-peak hours.
- Unplug your chargers when you’re not using them.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do all of this at once. Pick one or two at a time, and then when you feel like you’ve built those habits, add on!
No, delivery isn’t a lunch plan — it’s a coping mechanism
We get it — noon comes around and you’re in your pajamas you just wrapped your third meeting of the day (and counting), and the fridge’s contents are not very inviting.
So you order something to treat yourself … again. To reiterate, you’re not lazy or irresponsible, but you may be depleted.
Here’s a trick that can help. Try planning ahead so that lunch doesn’t become a decision:
- Cook a few proteins and veggies twice a week — it doesn’t have to be fancy.
- Rotate between three things: wrap, grain bowl, jar salad.
- Use containers you actually like using.
We’re not interested in a Pinterest board here — you just want something easy to grab, and tasty enough. It’s true that you can’t buy peace of mind, but you may be able to pack it ahead of time.
What if the commute money you’re saving goes to something that supports you?
There was likely a time you used to spend money to get to work — gas, parking, and the coffee you bought because you forgot your travel mug at home.
Ballpark how much you’re saving by no longer spending this, and set up a weekly transfer of that same amount to a separate account. This could be an emergency fund for when life comes up, or a “joy fund” for things that make you feel human again, or maybe for a class you’d like to take!
You are worth investing in. Use the money you’re saving on travel for something that will life you up.
Time to check in with yourself — do you feel like a person or a Zoom ghost?
This important check can often get missed. Cost and savings are important, but there’s not enough discussion around how to stay human.
People need other people, and movement, and boundaries … and breaks!
Think about popping these on your calendar:
- One or two co-work dates a month at a library or café.
- Walk-and-talk phone calls so you can get some sun and not stare at a screen!
- A 10-minute screen-free routine at the end of the day. Could be music, stretching, sitting outside — whatever works.
This isn’t “woo woo” – this is basic mental health (and financial) maintenance. Research shows that when your brain feels OK, your spending habits usually follow.
Save money by being kind to yourself
None of this is about being perfect, or changing overnight. It’s really about noticing what’s not working and trying one thing at a time that can move you in a better direction.
Your comfort and your energy matter. If your setup helps you feel calm and clear, the money part gets easier. And suddenly, working from home doesn’t feel like survival anymore.