Is Your Commute to Work Costing You? Here Are 5 Tips to Save

While many workers appreciated the opportunity to work from home during the pandemic, many employers feel differently. Roughly half are pushing for a full-time return to the office, in spite of employee preferences. This loss of flexibility is frustrating enough, but it's compounded by the additional expenses commuting to work brings.

After years of remaining at home, many workers are now more aware of the costs associated with working out of an office -- everything from gas to a new office wardrobe. But unless you're willing to switch jobs, you may have no choice but to pay for them. They don't have to drain your bank account, though. Try these five tips to help you save.

1. Avoid unnecessary purchases

You don't need business attire when working remotely, but few offices will permit you to show up in sweatpants. You might be able to get by with dusting off your old work clothes. But this may not work if you've slimmed down or added a few inches to your waistline since the pandemic began.

In that case, a new work wardrobe could be a necessity, but you should still think carefully about what you buy. Start with a few basics that are pretty versatile. You can always add more over time as you get the extra cash. And if you aren't sure whether you should buy something, sit on it for a few days before making that call.

2. Shop sales and secondhand stores

You can also save on business attire by watching out for sales and coupons. If you don't want to miss anything, consider subscribing to your favorite stores' mailing list. Many companies send out exclusive offers this way.

You might also want to explore secondhand stores in your area or online. These clothes are often a fraction of the price of new clothing, and most are in pretty good condition.

3. Make food and coffee at home

Going out for lunch or stopping at your favorite cafe for a coffee on the way to work can add up quickly, especially if you do this every day. You can save yourself quite a bit of money by making your meals and coffee at home before you head to work.

If you find this to be too time-consuming, look for ways to streamline the process. You can prepare all your lunches for the week on the weekend or set your coffee pot to brew automatically at a certain time each day.

4. Try carpooling or using public transit

Carpooling with other coworkers who live nearby can reduce how much you spend on gas while also being kind to the environment. But you'll have to communicate with each other about your plans, especially if you need to run errands before or after work.

Public transit is another affordable option if you live in a city where this is a possibility. The amount you'll spend on a bus or subway pass will likely be a lot less than what you'd pay to drive back and forth to the office each day in your own car.

5. Seek out more flexible employment options

If the tips above don't do enough for you and you're unhappy with your current job, it may be time to search for a new one. Remote positions may not be as plentiful as they were at the height of the pandemic, but there are still a lot of opportunities out there.

When deciding whether a remote position is right for you, think about how comfortable you are working from home and how making the switch will affect your finances. You may save on some of the above costs related to commuting, but if it means settling for a lower salary or fewer job perks, it might not be the best move for you in the long run.

If you can't find a new position that suits you right now, keep an eye out for new opportunities in the future. And see if you can brainstorm any additional ways to save on your work-related costs, other than the tips mentioned above.