Is your job in-line with your frugality?

[tinapbeana]

does my job enhance or stunt frugality (mine or others).... well:

i now live 4 miles from work (frugal)
bringing lunch to work is no problem (frugal)
it's a small company with 8 people in the office, so there's no 401k (not frugal)
i'm making more $ here than at my previous job, allowing me to save more (definitely frugal!)

and probably most frugal of all is what the company actually does: we design and support supply-chain, quality assurance, and contractor management software.

basically, clothing companies use our software to track when items have defects or are damaged in shipping. defect items can then be shipped to the TJ Maxx's of the world for frugal purchasing, and items damaged in transport can be 'charged back' to the offending contracter rather than the clothing company eating the loss and raising prices to compensate.

[Broken Arrow]

Actually, yes.

They provide all the clothing I need. Decent clothes too. Polo-like shirts and khaki slacks. Free dry cleaning. Boots also. Every year! In short, I spend exactly nothing for clothing.

It also has medical insurance and 401k, paid vacation, and so forth.

Best of all, I actually like my job! I like my bosses, most of my co-workers, and even the work itself.

Of course, I want to make more money... but who doesn't?

[HalMd]

My employer allowed me to become a contractor...mega-frugal.

[Snoopy2645]

Well dh's job is only a mile away now so yes that is in line with us being frugal his truck now takes half the gas & thier is no cafe court their so now he HAS to bring his lunch saves us a ton!!! As for my job I would say yes also I get to choose the hours I work so usually we dont have to pay a sitter I do pay my oldest daughter but at least that money is staying in the familY I would rather pay her than a stranger PLUS I trust her more!!! And sometimes my jobs let me take home food so that saves a ton in food if they do we have to ask the stores what they want done with the leftovers but usually they tell us to take it if thiers any leftover!!!

[PauletteGoddard]

In many, but not all aspects, yes.

The one aspect where it is not is where I am responsible for my own education and skill development, and in a fast-changing information technology environment I am learning or re-learning something at least once a year. I try to be frugal, and know there are online universities but still: fees, books, materials, parking fees if applicable, dinners-on-the-run.

Where I can be frugal: business casual or even jeans and runners are okay in 80% of my work environments. Many employers sponsor bus passes, and those that do are only one bus trip away. Starbucks coffee and many juices, tea, hot cider mix, hot chocolate mix, and of course water are free.

With an investment in a laptop, I'll be able to telecommute from many places offering wi-fi. Telecommuting from home is a tradeoff: I keep the temperature way down during the day (55F) and I'd need it to be at least 68F. I have to think: is the $1.50/day I spend on my scooter more than what I'd pay to have the heat on?

[Ima saver]

My husband is a builder, so his work clothes are pretty cheap, but they are usually pretty grubby looking. He takes his lunch every single lunch, so that saves a ton of money. The only bad thing is, he drives a heavy van full of tools, so he uses a lot of gas.

[Thrifty Ray]

Since I work from home, yes!

No extra clothing expense, I make my own coffee and meals and I am able to make dinner during the day.

I dont incur car expenses and was able to lower my insurance coverage to leisure use only.

I get to use the work computer and internet for free.

So, yes, I would say my job makes staying frugal a cinch!!