save money on your home office
Save Money on Your Home Office – some top tips
Working from home is becoming more and more popular, whether you’re doing your job remotely, or setting up as a freelancer or small business owner. As fun as setting up your office space can be, at this point in your career move or change, money might be a bit on the tight side. So, if you want a functional, practical home office without having to fork out too much cash, here are some handy money saving tips…
Recycle What You’ve Already Got
As tempting as a brand-new purpose-built desk can look, consider whether you can use items of furniture you already own before splashing out. A small table that you can fit a filing cabinet under will perform most of the functions you need to begin with, and if you don’t need a specific type of chair to help with your back, there’s nothing wrong with using a spare dining room chair for now.
Shelving Solutions
One of the main reasons for setting up a home office in the first place is to save money on a commercial office, but a potential drawback is a lack of space in your abode. Yes, you may have enough room for a desk, but what if storage becomes an issue? Be creative with the space you do have – there may not be room for countless filing cabinets, but you can invest in some good value yet sturdy wall shelving. Another space-saving idea is to hang filing pockets on the back of your door or on the wall directly above your desk to reduce clutter.
Buying in Bulk
When it comes to stationary supplies, you could fall into one of two categories: someone who tears through stationary basics and needs a regular supply to keep them going, or someone who’s a bit more careful and restocks as and when. Ordering online in bulk is the most sensible solution for the former, with good deals available from stationary retailers and wholesalers via discount sites like Promo Codes For. For the former, shopping in pound stores and low-cost retailers can often get you the best value on cheap basics such as notepads, pens and staples. If you’re printing numerous documents on a regular basis, one of your main expenses is going to be printer ink. Again, online is the best place to look for cheaper prices, with specialist cartridge suppliers often providing the lowest.
Cut Down on Your Bills to save money on your home office
It’s the hidden home office costs that can often be the most significant – namely the increase in your energy usage when you’re on your laptop or PC most of the day. Although you’ll be cutting costs overall when compared with the high price of commuting, you might notice an increase in your electricity usage and in the winter, heating costs. If you haven’t done so recently, now is the time to compare energy suppliers and get the best possible deal, but also think about re-evaluating your broadband package too. If you’re in a position to look for a new supplier, shop around for the best value for your needs, or if you’re mid-contract, think about upgrading to accommodate your increased internet usage. Not saving money as such, but you might be able to negotiate a better deal if you’ve been a good customer to them for a while.
There aren’t too many people who regret the move to work from home – who can argue with the convenience of being within walking distance of the fridge? – but don’t get carried away with those home office expenses in the early days. And remember, you can always treat yourself to a new desk once the money starts rolling in!
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Further reading
8 tips for a stylish home office
How to make an office within your home
How to make your office productive
Some great tips. Your home office doesn’t have to cost the earth, but it must be a proper work area in order for you to be productive
I’m really excited to set up my office space at home. There are some stuff I’d recycle and there are some I’d buy from the thrift shop. There are really some good stuff there that ‘d make my table look more lively 🙂
Thanks for the tips. I recently started working from home and love the freedom, but am mindful of the budget. One area I’m able to save on is making lunch at home vs going out to eat. It’s much easier when the kitchen is only a few rooms away.