I’ve been working from home for 7 months and I’ve saved thousands of dollars — here’s how I did it

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I’ve all but forgotten about the cost of daily lunches, coffee breaks, and subway rides.

To the envy of many of my friends, I work from home full-time.

About seven months ago, I relocated from New York City to Los Angeles and started working remotely for Business Insider.

I’m originally from California, and the lure of year-round sun and the Pacific Ocean finally got the best of me. Not to mention, three to four round-trip flights a year to visit family and friends at $300 each was taking a toll on my bank account.

I recently spent a week in Business Insider’s Manhattan office, and after daily lunches, coffee breaks, and subway rides, I started thinking of all the ways I save money working from home.

In total, I estimate my annual savings are nearly $6,000. Of course, some of that has gone to other expenses, such as my yoga studio membership and car and renter’s insurance, but for the most part my bank account has grown, as has my entertainment budget.

Below, check out the biggest ways I save along with my estimated annual savings for each category.

No more commuting costs: $1,400 saved annually

New York City has one of the most expensive commutes in the world, according to a report by Deutsche Bank, citing the $117 monthly subway pass. That’s a savings of roughly $1,400 a year now that I work from home. And that savings would be even more pronounced had I gone from commuting in Los Angeles to working from home, considering commuters shell out an average of $3,600 annually.

I have a car now, which of course comes with separate maintenance costs, but I only spend about $25 every other week, or $50 a month, to fill up my gas tank. I often go a day or two without driving my car at all because coffee shops and restaurants are within walking distance of my apartment.

I cook lunch instead of buying out: $2,500 saved annually

In Manhattan, I would pay between $10 and $15 for a fast-casual lunch. At one point I fell into the habit of buying lunches four or five days a week, spending as much as $75 weekly. Needless to say, it ate into my budget — homemade pasta and rice dishes became my go-to dinner.

Eventually I would make and bring my own lunch to work, but sometimes when it’s no longer appetizing by lunchtime, or there’s a special occasion or mid-day meeting, it’s so easy to say “forget it” and head out to the nearest Chipotle or fancy salad shop.

Now I’ll do a Trader Joe’s grocery haul at the beginning of each week — which typically costs no more than $50 — buying enough for lunches, snacks, and dinners. Homemade food has become more appealing because I have access to my fridge at all times of the day — I no longer have to decide the night before what I’ll be eating the next day. (I should note that I rarely order-in for lunch, which would definitely add up and likely cost more than those fast-casual Manhattan lunches considering delivery fees).

Coffee and tea breaks don’t exist: $450 saved annually

Even though Business Insider’s office has free coffee and tea, I was constantly tempted to run out in the afternoon to buy one at about $3 a pop. I always saw it as a good excuse to get fresh air or chat with a colleague, but it can really add up when you’re doing it several times a week.

Now I only buy a beverage when I’m working from a coffee shop once or twice a week. On the other days, I drink what I have at home and step out onto my balcony if I need fresh air.

I don’t have to buy office-appropriate clothing or wear makeup: $1,600 saved annually

Going in to an office every day means looking presentable. For women, that typically includes a face of makeup and a business causal wardrobe.

I hate wearing makeup, frankly, and my favorite thing about working from home may be the fact that I get to ditch it. While makeup usually lasts several months, it’s expensive. Just my powder and liquid foundations cost $100 together. I haven’t had to buy new ones in months because I’m not using it every day. Plus, since I’m not wearing makeup everyday, I don’t have to buy makeup remover. Sure, soap and water works too, but the remover pads are easy and good for sensitive skin. A $10 pack now lasts me more than two months, rather than the usual 30 days.

As for the clothes, I was previously spending about $100 a month on bulking up my office-appropriate wardrobe, including shoes. Often it was to comply with New York’s changing seasons.

Now that I can wear whatever I want during the day (and no shoes at all), I don’t have any reason, or excuse, to go clothes shopping unless it’s for a special occasion.

Read more stories on Business Insider, Malaysian edition of the world’s fastest-growing business and technology news website.

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