Four Unexpected Work from Home Expenses & Tips on Cutting Costs

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. 

Guest Post - How to Overhaul Your Home Design with a Limited Budget

If you want to transform your current house into your dream home, money can be a limiting factor. After all, how are you going to make a big splash with a small budget? It turns out that you don’t need millions in the bank to completely revamp your space. There are plenty of ways to add high-end details to your property without creating a giant hole in your wallet. We’ve compiled some of the best ideas you can try out in your own home below. 

Tip #1: Add crown molding

What separates a beautiful house from a plain house can be distilled down to one concept: details. Crown molding, for example, is a great way to provide extra oomph to the rooms in your home. Crown molding not only beautifully transitions the walls into the ceiling, but it’s also fairly inexpensive, especially if you take it on yourself as a weekend project. This type of molding is available in a variety of widths, so you can easily customize the exact look you want or need for a room. For the biggest impact, a wider crown molding will provide a bigger splash. 

You can also consider adding other types of molding to your home, like high baseboards, ceiling medallions, and more.

Tip #2: Transform an unused space into a guest bedroom

Perhaps you’re preparing your residence for its future as a multigenerational home, or maybe you just want a nice guest bedroom. Whatever the case, creating an inviting space for visitors or live-in relatives can be difficult if you’re not sure where to start. 

Here are a few key pieces you may want to consider adding to a guest bedroom:

• Comfortable mattress: Choose a memory foam or a hybrid mattress for maximum comfort.

• High thread-count sheets: The thread-count of your sheets will make a huge difference in how comfortable they are. Opt for higher thread counts so your guests can rest easy.

• Plenty of storage: Make sure the guest bedroom has a chest of drawers or wardrobe for guests to place their luggage and clothing.

• A calming color palette: Soft greens, neutral whites, and gentle blues can make a guest bedroom feel spa-like.

Tip #3: Change up your paint colors

The paint you choose for the rooms in your home is an incredibly important decision. After all, your paint will determine the color scheme of the rest of your décor. If you’re looking for elegance and luxury, the right color palette on the walls can add instant polish. 

You can choose from dramatic paint colors or softer, muted tones that allow you to add in pops of brighter color through your decorations. 

You can also create simple stripes with painter’s tape or add in an interesting accent wall to make a dull room more cheerful. If you don’t feel like painting, you may want to consider adding wallpaper or creating your own gallery wall with picture frames and art.

Tip #4: Mix and match unique hardware finishes

Drawer pulls and cabinet knobs can be pretty boring if you go with stock models. With that said, you can give your home more personality if you opt for unique finds instead. Visit local flea markets and antique shops for a more whimsical aesthetic in your kitchen. Mix and match knobs and handles to give your kitchen cabinets a more casual, shabby chic feel, for example.

Tip #5: Create a comfortable atmosphere with lighting

Lighting is essential for any room in your home because it sets the mood and makes a space liveable. You’ll want a mix of task lighting and overhead lighting for even illumination throughout a room. 

Consider adding fairy lights to your living room or bedroom to make these spaces feel cozier and happier. You can even drape fairy lights within a window treatment to create a magical, breezy look. 

Tip #6: Add greenery

Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a plant person, you might be surprised by how much a little greenery can change the entire feel of a room. Plants not only help increase the amount of oxygen in your home, they’re also scientifically proven to reduce stress. If you’re worried about killing your house plants, choose low-effort options that don’t need much water or light. Below are some low maintenance plants you can add to your bathroom, living room, or other indoor spaces:

• Chinese evergreen

• Snake plant

• Ponytail palm

• Maidenhair fern

• Jade plant

• Christmas cactus

• Philodendrons

• Fiddle leaf fig tree

• Aloe plant

• Wax plant 

Tip #7: Swap out your throw pillows

If your living room couch is looking a little sadder than usual, consider switching out your throw pillows. New throw pillows can immediately spruce up your living room.

Tip #8: Use Craigslist and thrift stores for cheap, unique pieces

People all over the country are constantly moving. For you, that means potential furniture finds that are barely used. You can also check the “free” section of Craigslist where people are simply trying to offload things like furniture, housewares, and even trees before moving. OfferUp is another good place to peruse deals on gently used items, as well. 

And don’t forget about thrift stores and resale shops when you’re looking for furnishings and accessories for your home. Goodwill, for instance, often has hidden gems waiting to be discovered and antique stores might offer you accessories you can’t get anywhere else.

There is also an online network you can leverage called Freecycle, where locals pass their unwanted belongings to others for free. You just go to the main Freecycle.org site and enter in your location to find a Freecycle group in your local area.

Tip #9: Hide clutter

Clutter is inevitable at times. Mail piles up, kids make messes, and your partner loves throwing his socks all over. However, one great way to fight clutter is by creating storage where you need it most. Use a cable organizer to keep your electronics organized and neat. Add cube storage in playrooms so your children have an easy way to put away toys. Create a robust laundry basket system so you and your family always have a way to logically separate clothing items. 

A tidy space is an easy way to make your entire home feel more welcoming and calmer. Sometimes decluttering can be a huge job. Call the professionals at H2H Organizing for all your organizational needs.

 Takeaways: Creating your dream home, one DIY step at a time

Although a large budget and a professional interior designer can create a magical space, homeowners can easily make DIY improvements without spending much. Creating your dream home without breaking the bank means being creative, getting a little dirty, and most importantly, having a little fun.

Author Bio

Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the managing editor for 365businesstips.com as well as runs a personal blog, mixedbitsmedia.com. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.

Guest Post - Money-Saving Methods for Decorating Your New Home

Moving in with a significant other is a big milestone. There’s a sacrifice of personal space and independence, but you gain so much more: a domestic partner to share living expenses and domestic duties, a step up in the relationship, and a commitment that says more than words could express. Like all major life changes, moving in together comes with bumps in the road. Besides compromises and agreeing on decisions for your living space, the cost of moving can be a challenge to overcome.

Moving isn’t cheap. First, you have deposits and down payments, and on top of that, the cost of moving averages out to $1,250 locally and $4,890 long distance. The numbers vary based on the size of your home, distance traveled, and services hired, but every move has a cost. Once you arrive at your new home, you’re faced with even more expenses that come with getting settled into the new space. To help alleviate the move-in decorating costs, try some of these budget-friendly suggestions to make your first home together feel like it belongs to both of you.

Shop Wisely

Save the fancy items for your wedding registry, and stick to more affordable methods when paying out-of-pocket for your home goods. Need more hangers? Bigger sheets for your new bed? A shower caddy to accommodate the extra bottles? A set of wine glasses for date nights? Many retailers offer countless options for the things that you’ll need to fill your place and make it livable. Shopping online can provide more discounts and money savings, like using a Bed Bath & Beyond promo code to keep purchases within your budget, as well as give you access to a full range of products.  

Thrifting

When shopping for furniture, thrift stores could be a great option for high-quality pieces at steeply discounted prices. You can find solid wood dressers and tables for less than you’d pay for flimsy particleboard, but what you’d be getting is more reliable and sturdier. Secondhand shopping can bring a treasure trove of goods for decorating as well. If you dig deep enough, you could score a deal on cool lamps or vintage artwork to hang on the walls and adorn your shelves. 

Shop Locally

Some of the same deals that you’d find at Goodwill can also be found in person at a swap meet or flea market, as well as online at resale sites like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace. Vendors often sell off their old goods, so you never know what you’ll come across! You could even utilize these secondhand markets to sell things that you don’t want in exchange for extra cash to buy new “used” items for the home.

DIY and Crafting

The most economical way to decorate is to make it yourself. Sometimes the cheapest place to find decorations is at Michaels, where you can buy the crafting supplies and create your own artwork. Think cross stitch wall art, hanging plants, and homemade door wreaths. Another option is to print your own high-quality photos on acrylic, metal, or canvas to hang on the wall in lieu of paintings. Photos of you or taken by you will add a personal touch to your interior décor. You can DIY painting as well. When painting your home, consider using cool colors (e.g., shades for blue and green) to create the illusion of space.  

Repurposing

Surely, you and your partner are moving in together with some things from your former homes. Even if what you owned individually doesn’t fit in with the theme of the house, you can still find a way to repurpose it in your new home. Your first IKEA desk from college might not be the ideal office furniture for your new home office, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t use it to create a new piece of furniture. Perhaps it can be used as an entry table or bench in the foyer.

If you’re trying to pinch pennies as much as possible, then consider asking for hand-me-downs from friends and family members. Perhaps put off decorating for the time being — at least until you fill your home with the essentials first. At the very least, you can simply reuse your old things until save up enough to start fresh. Even if your individual styles clash, the mismatched home would be a unique representation of your relationship and your life together.

Author bio: Natalie enjoys writing about homebuying and hopes to inspire homeowners of all stages enjoy the perks of homeownership!

Guest Post - How To Decorate Your First Home On A Budget

Buying or leasing your first home is a milestone. Whether it’s a small apartment or a large house, it’s your residence. Yet it takes more than your signature on the paperwork to make that space feel like home. The bare walls and empty rooms of which you’ve taken ownership likely will need a lot of work before you can feel truly comfortable there.

It can be challenging to decorate on a budget. You’ll need to find furniture, area rugs and other accents that fit your style, personality and financial limitations. Fortunately, you can find ways to refresh your home even if times are tight. You just have to be smart about how you shop and learn a few tricks for cost-effective interior design. For instance, don’t underestimate the impact that color coordination can have on a room.

Even if you have to buy individual pieces of furniture from multiple sources, you can make them all fit more effectively by painting them matching colors. Estate sales and online retailers also offer opportunities for bargains if you’re willing to do the legwork. For even more tips to help you decorate smarter for your first home, see the accompanying infographic.

Author Bio: Shelley Alexanian is spokesperson for Alexanian, one of Canada’s most successful and versatile full-service flooring and window covering businesses. With several years of industry experience, Shelley is skilled at creating beautiful designs under a variety of budgets — she believes design is at the heart of everything.