Working from home is the new norm, but it often gets stressful for employees who experience problems with work-life balance. Moreover, the increase in broadband and mobile bills is another reason to worry. Even if you save up on office commute and childcare costs, you may still find WFH taxing. It makes sense to look for ways to cut down everyday expenses, which is absolutely doable if you take some smart steps. Let us share some tips that can help you save by curbing your remote work expenses.

Choose the right place to work

Working from home requires you to have a dedicated workspace where kids and pets wouldn’t distract you. But when you create a home office, pick a place that gets natural light throughout the day. Surprisingly, you can save a lot by not turning on the lights and using them only after sunset. Although it doesn’t sound like a lot of work, the savings can be massive if you think for the long haul.

Conserve energy usage on your devices

You can go the extra mile with energy savings by conserving power usage on your devices. Avoid leaving your laptop plugged in constantly, no matter how lazy you feel. Leaving the device plugged drains energy and elevates your bills. Moreover, it isn’t great for the environment. Using energy-efficient settings for your devices is a good idea. Small and practical steps can make a big difference to your monthly WFH expenses.

Keep your computer virus-safe

When you work from home, you miss out on tech support that is always there in office settings. Small issues like getting a virus in your computer can land you in trouble, and you may have to spend a bit resolving the issue. If you use a Mac device, investing in microsoft defender for mac is a good idea. You must also take relevant measures to prevent malware attacks. Even if your office reimburses the expense, a virus attack can be stressful. So it makes sense to steer clear of them.

Pick the right broadband package

If you work from home, you will need a reliable broadband connection to keep going. Although your employer will probably provide for it, you must think of saving as much as you can. There are plenty of offers right now, as providers want to entice users. So you can pick one that addresses your needs without burning a hole in your wallet. Shop around and find the one that saves your (and the employer’s) dollars.

Avail of tax relief

Remote workers get many tax incentives that are relatively unknown and underused. If you work from home as a freelancer, you can claim relief on expenses such as lighting and broadband. But the eligibility depends on your work status. Most employers also offer financial support for home office setups, which is another way to save your personal money as you work from home.

Remote workers have several opportunities to save dollars, but everything boils down to using the right ones to your advantage. So get smart and see the difference!

Sean Cooper is the bestselling author of the book, Burn Your Mortgage: The Simple, Powerful Path to Financial Freedom for Canadians, available now on Amazon and at Chapters, Indigo and major bookstores, and as an Audiobook on Amazon, Audible and iTunes.