The current cost of living crisis is being felt across the UK, with many struggling to keep up with household bills and living costs. Here at Fairwayrock we want to use our platform to raise awareness and share ways that you can save money. One area that some of us don’t consider when cutting the costs is our work-life. So here are 5 easy ways you can save money at work!
1. Bring your own packed lunch
It may seem obvious, but making your own packed lunch instead of buying lunch every day makes a big difference. In fact, the average lunch costs £6.08, working out at £948.48 per year! (if you eat out three times a week). And packed lunches don’t need to be dull, you can check out our other blog post where we share healthy packed lunch ideas. This extends to beverages too: make some coffee at home and bring it with you in a thermal flask. The average price of a takeaway coffee is £3.40 per cup, meaning that if you skipped this every work day (5 days a week) you would save £17 a week, which is a huge £884 per year!
2. Cut down commuting costs
The cost of your commute will vary depending on where you are located and what method of transport you use. According to Confused.com, the average cost of commuting by train is £136 per week, and the average cost of commuting by car is £80 per week. If you travel by car, one way to save money on fuel is by carpooling with colleague(s) or someone who works in the same area as you. This way the cost of fuel can be split, saving you a lot of money in the long-run.
If you travel by train, you should carefully consider what type of tickets you are buying and try to find the most economical option. A railcard can help you save a percentage off of your journeys, if you are eligible for one. National Rail and Scot Rail have railcards available for those between the ages of 16-30, over 60’s, as well as those with disabilities. If you are hybrid working and only travelling to the office one or two times per week, many train companies offer flexible season tickets which tend to work out cheaper than regular tickets. Some bus companies, such as Stagecoach, also offer flexible ticket options.
3. Be smart about snacking
It can be tempting to grab a snack from the vending machine but this small cost will add up over time. Buy your favourite snacks in multi-packs and store them in your office drawer. This will reduce your temptation to venture to the vending machine or the sweets aisle of the supermarket at lunchtime. If you’re trying to be healthy, you can bring in your own fruit or cereal bars to snack on.
4. Resist spending on your lunch break
Many of us will use our lunch breaks to do a bit of online shopping or to browse the high street shops. This can sometimes lead to impulse buying. Try to resist this by doing something different on your lunch break, such as taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or simply chatting with a colleague. This can distract yourself and stop you from making frivolous purchases. If there is something you do really need, check out our online marketplace at Fairwayrock.com. Our website showcases multiple suppliers to help you find the best price.
5. Save on your work wardrobe
If you are heading back to the office after a period of remote working, you may be in need of some new work clothes. But you don’t need to overspend on lots of different outfits, invest in a few high-quality staple statement pieces which can be worn again and again. Things like a quality shirt, a comfortable pair of trousers or a skirt are good pieces to have. Buying a few high-quality pieces is likely to save you money long-term instead of buying cheap clothing which will need to be replaced more often. You should also keep an eye out for any sales and discounts.
We hope that you have found this helpful and that you have found some ways to save money at work! Follow us on our social medias for more tips and guides. You can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Tags: costofliving, money, office, savemoney, work