How to Cut Your Expenses At Work

Even if you are gainfully employed, you are still probably looking for ways to save money. Small purchases that you make along the way to work or just by driving add up to big expenses associated with working outside of the home. Keep your office or construction job, but cut the expenses on the way to and from work.

Instructions

1

Look into transportation alternatives. If you drive yourself to work, the cost of gas may be adding up. If possible, consider carpooling with another coworker who lives in your area. You can both save gasoline money on gasoline. Examine pubic transportation options that exist in your region. You might be able to take the bus, subway or train and buy a monthly pass that is cheaper than full fare. It usually takes longer than driving, which is more direct, but you can read while the driver does the stressful work. Compare the cost of monthly passes with gas and parking bills to make sure it does save money for you.

2

Cut out that morning coffee, water or juice purchase. If you buy a cup of coffee or bottled water or juice each morning on your way to work, here is a cost that can easily add up. Instead, get up a little earlier if necessary to make your own coffee at home. Buy a securely covered coffee mug or a thermos to take the coffee with you to work. Do the same with juice if that's what you enjoy at work. Fill a stainless steel bottle with water filtered from your tap if your workplace doesn't provide a water cooler.

3

Bring snacks to work. If you regularly find yourself visiting the local corner store or the vending machines at your workplace to buy a snack, you might as well bring your own. For the price of three or four snack-sized bags of chips or cookies, you could easily buy a full size package to keep at home. Fill a baggie full of your favorite snack and bring it with you to work. If you want to cut down on snacks, gradually decrease the amount that goes in your baggie.

4

Make your lunch. If you haven't brought your lunch to work for ages, start up this habit again. Insulated lunch boxes and bags are available for sale for a reasonable price. Stop at dollar stores first to look for something you like. Buy an ice pack and you can easily bring a wide range of lunch meals with you to work, including turkey, egg salad, ham and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Once a week you can reward yourself with lunch at a restaurant, if that's in the budget.

5

Buy a cheap backpack or shoulder bag, if you need one. By now, you have loaded up with possibly a thermos, water bottle, insulated lunch bag with an ice pack, plus your reading material for lunchtime and travel time. Especially if you now take public transportation, you need a sturdy bag to hold all your goodies.