Instead of obliging, however, millions of people have decided to quit. And with good reason.
The opportunity to work from home and save money is too alluring to pass up.
In the video below, renowned venture capitalist Robert Herjavec interviewed with CNBC about the future of working in an office. Despite the optimism around the economic market, he believes remote work is now a part of business culture.
https://youtu.be/QmnYyiRaSlU
Working from home may seem out of reach for some. To bridge the gap, consider pursuing opportunities to build new skill sets. Direct sales is an often-considered option for those who want to supplement their income and develop career-building skills.
A flourishing industry, direct sales offers the work-from-home lifestyle of autonomy and flexibility. According to Business Wire, direct selling experienced record high sales and double-digit percentage growth in 2020.
In the changing economic environment, people want more control over how they work and how much they make. In this article, you’ll learn how you can save money by working from home.
Big Ideas:
- Work from home or anywhere you choose
- Save money for what’s most important
- Supplement your income with multiple streams
How working from home saves money
When all you know is commuting to work in an office, its hidden costs may go unnoticed.
The cup of coffee you stop to buy because you don’t have time to make it at home.
The gas and maintenance your car requires to get you to work, or the bus pass to bring you to the office and back.
These seemingly small costs add up over time and cut into your salary. Research done by FlexJobs estimates that the average person can save $4,000 a year by working from home. Let’s evaluate the thinking that supports this figure.
Work wardrobe
Most companies have a dress code employees abide by. Unfortunately, it often doesn’t allow yoga pants or sweats. That means buying a separate set of clothes you probably wouldn’t have bought if you worked from home.
According to FlexJobs, the average household spends $1,866 on clothes and the services to keep them clean. Whether you’re wearing suits every day or a nice blouse and dress pants, you’re going to need to get them cleaned.
If you’re working from home, you can wear clothes that don’t need so much upkeep. You can simply use the washer or dryer. However, business attire tends to need dry cleaning services. These costs have to be considered when working in an office environment.
Commuting costs
Arguably one of the least enjoyable aspects of working in an office is the commute. According to Howmuch.net, transportation can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 a year. If you are commuting by car, the costs are much higher than public transportation. For some, there may be no other option.
First, there’s the cost of maintenance. The more you drive your car, the more maintenance is likely required to keep it running. Think about the maintenance your car needs that is primarily based on mileage, like:
- Tire rotations
- Oil changes
- Spark plug replacement
Working from home means fewer trips to the mechanic and saving that money instead.
For car owners, your insurance premiums are padded with the risk of driving your car to work 5 days out of the week. Insurance providers will likely ask you how many miles you drive a year and how many miles you commute to work. The more miles you drive, the higher your risk of an accident. Insurance companies take this into account and price your premium accordingly.
While using public transportation is cheaper than driving a car, the cost is still more expensive than staying home. Not to mention, the health threat it poses since the advent of the coronavirus. In Philadelphia and New York, a commuter can spend $1,152 and $1,524 a year respectively on public transportation. Furthermore, due to recent changes in tax laws, transportation expenses to and from the office (via car or public transportation) are non-tax deductible.
The commute savings when you work from home go beyond the costs. You’ll also have more free time to focus on the things you want to do—since you’ll be saving around 400 hours of driving every year.
Work from home tax breaks
Your money savings increase if you work from home as an entrepreneur or freelancer. When you’re self-employed, you can write off things like:
- Your home office
- Equipment depreciation
- Healthcare expenses
- Contributions to your retirement
If you work from home as a full-time employee, you won’t be able to write off all of the same deductions, but there are some you may still qualify for.
Food cost savings
When you’re in an office environment, you tend to eat out more often. Coworkers will invite you to hang out over lunch at a nearby restaurant or maybe you left your lunch at home so you spend money eating out.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics found that people who work from home spend 50% less on lunch. Not only can this increase the amount of money you’re able to save, but it’s also healthier. Homemade meals tend to be more nutritious and less processed than those from a restaurant.
Work from home in direct sales
Direct sales has long been the industry choice for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, a desire to work on their own time and earn money based on their merits.
During this season of economic uncertainty, the direct sales industry has shown itself to be resilient and thriving.
According to a report from Statista, the direct sales industry in the United States found double-digit growth from 2020 to 2021 in retail sales (13.9% to $40.1 billion) and number of sellers (13.2% to 7.7 million). Worldwide, direct selling accounted for $180.5 billion in revenue in 2020.
Joseph N. Mariano, the president of Direct Selling Association, stated:
Direct sellers have proven themselves time and again to be nimble micro-entrepreneurs, willing and able to serve their customers and communities within a changing environment.
The record high growth in the direct sales industry makes it a great avenue to supplement your income. You can save money by working from home while you enjoy the flexibility to fit your lifestyle.
Get started today with direct sales
One drawback to working from home is loneliness. Research done by Buffer found that 21% of remote workers cited loneliness as the biggest struggle with working from home.
Fortunately, direct sales allows you the opportunity to interact with people and help them in the best ways you can. You can set your own schedule and put in the amount of effort you’re comfortable with, knowing you’ll get out what you put in.