Telecommuting Can Be Frugal

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

02 Mar 2009 09:05 AM

Today we are still in the middle of that snowstorm. The snow is really piling up. After much deliberating to himself, my husband made the decision to work from home. Actually, it probably wasn't much of a decision, since I doubt he would have made it through the roads anyway.

I starting thinking about how frugal telecommuting is. If you haven't taken advantage of your company's telecommuting policy, you might want to consider it. Here are some ways that telecommuting can be frugal.

Of course you know that working at home means that you won't have to get to the office. This can save on commuting expenses, such as public transportation, gas, wear and tear on your car, lower insurance costs (less milage means better rate) and the reduced possibility of a costly car accident.

You'll save on food expenses, too. Sure you could bring your lunch to work, but do you? What about all of the snacks and cups of coffee that you might purchase. At home, it is all available to you at a greatly reduced cost.

You can even save money on the cost of your health. With less exposure to the flu, colds and other illnesses, you won't need to spend money on doctor visits and prescriptions.

Better productivity may mean bonuses and raises. The office can sometimes be distracting, with co-workers stopping by to chat, and long lunches. For someone who is suited for it, you can get a lot more done when you telecommute. Obviously you may need "face time" in the office, too, but it is amazing how much can get accomplished when you aren't distracted in an office environment.

When you eliminate that commute, you have more time to do other things that may contribute to living frugally. When my husband works at home, he saves an hour and a half a day. That time can be used for home improvement projects that save us on the cost of hiring someone to do them.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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