New ways to save cash when going back to workplaces post-COVID-19
From carparking to coffees, many workers have saved on expenses while working from home during COVID-19 closures. As they head back to workplaces, they can keep saving – and still get their caffeine hit.
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BRINGING a sandwich for lunch, cutting back on coffees and catching the bus are common ways workers are told they can save money.
But in post-lockdown times when they want to support local businesses or avoid close contact with strangers, that advice may seem moot.
Australian Institute of Management workplace specialist Emeritus Professor Gary Martin said there were other ways to save money when going back to work.
Some employers provide perks to staff – including free counselling services, health checks or parking fees – that are not actively advertised.
“You might be surprised what they might offer if you scratch the surface a bit,” Prof Martin said.
Clothing is another bill that could be cut, and Prof Martin suggested merging weekend and weekday wardrobes to take advantage of increasingly informal dress policies.
Senior account manager Katrina Quesada, from public relations, marketing and creative agency Zeno Group, said she discovered during her time working from home that food was her big money waster.
“Working from home during this isolation period has made me more aware of just how much food I used to throw out and waste, especially as I always used to grab things on the go and let items in my fridge go off,” she said.
“Being at home, I’ve started to make a conscious decision to use whatever I have in my cupboards and not only is this helping the environment, it’s also saving me tens, if not hundreds, of dollars a week.
“I will definitely be trying to keep up these habits when we go back to the office by bringing in leftovers and lunch from home.”
Prof Martin said workers should also be conscious about gift giving activities at work where they could “spend a lot of money”.
“One of the ways people have been creative around that and save money is to make one donation every year to a particular charity,” he said.
“Otherwise you spend money on 20 gifts. Make one small donation. It’s the thought that counts.”
People who use public transport for their commute can consider adjusting their work hours and taking government advice to travel off-peak, when fewer people travel, which could lead to cost savings where fares are cheaper.
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If workers want to avoid being in confined spaces with strangers, rideshare could be cheaper than all-day parking, particularly if they carpool with others they trust.
Prof Martin said money could be saved on lunch, coffee and drinks just by setting a personal budget each week and being disciplined to spend only that amount.
“Have a system in place, instead of going out for drinks here and lunch there,” he said.
“It’s just about being creative and also trying to be flexible with some of these things.”