3 Ways to Save on Work Costs

Going out to eat with coworkers may not feel like a major expense until you look at how much money you spend throughout the year. It costs about $10 to eat lunch in a restaurant. If you eat out just twice a week, you spend more than $1,000 per year on lunch — daily costs really add up.

Save that money by packing your lunch. Take leftovers from last night’s dinner or simply take a sandwich and banana. You won’t believe how much money you save.

Work clothes can cost quite a bit, especially if you work in a professional environment. Knowing when to shop will help you save money on the clothing you buy for work.

The best deals usually come right after the winter holidays. Retail stores stock their shelves with as many products as possible so they can meet consumer demand during the season. After the holidays, they’re often stuck with clothes that they want to sell quickly.

During this time, you can get deep discounts on everything from dress shoes to suits.

Gas prices are extremely volatile. You never know when the price of a gallon will jump above $4. Plus, every mile that you drive adds wear and tear to your vehicle. Driving by yourself to work is one of the most expensive transportation options that you could choose.

Luckily, you have plenty of alternatives to driving alone. You can join a carpool, take the bus or ride a bike. The option that you choose will likely depend on several factors, such as where you live and what kind of work you do. Regardless, practically anything is cheaper than driving by yourself.

Don’t let your job leech money from your paycheck. Take advantage of every opportunity to save on your work expenses and look for your budgeting weak spots. Even small expenses add up over time. Who knows, maybe one day you could even save up to half your income — it’s possible.