How much does it cost you to work?

[Outdoorsygal]

Or I can use the actual cost which makes more sense.

When I said insurance, I meant insurance that is required for your job. For example, I'm a physician so I need malpractice insurance. If I stopped working tomorrow, I wouldn't need it anymore. I didn't mean health, dental, or life insurance since you'd have those costs no matter what, working or not.

understand now, that makes sense

[AJ444]

Don't have it all calculated but I have the following personal costs:

1. Commuting
2. Business Clothes
3. Upgrading to Economy Plus when I travel domestic, at 6'4 I am in agony in economy and company won't pay for the upgrade.


I don't mind 1 and 2 but it irritates me that it costs me money when I travel for work.

[mo0n]

Apart from food costs (I could save money if I packed my lunch), the only money I spend is for clothing. I'm issued a vehicle and my gas is paid for, as is any training I'm sent to. Kind of gnarly when I think about it.

[scfr]

Roughly $2,500 a year. The bulk of that is the cost is owning a 2nd car (vehicle cost, insurance, maintenance & repairs, fees). When I retire, DH & I will share one car. The balance is gasoline for commute, a bit extra for clothing/shoes/accessories, office parties/gifts, plus small misc expenses like a thermal cup to bring water to work.

[mcsewnab]

I switched from office work to work from home about 2.5 years ago. I don't think I pay for anything work related now but maybe electricity. I get an internet/cell phone allowance which covers what I need for work.

It's been a huge savings in money and time related to commuting and I hope I never have to go into an office again. I know that's unlikely but I can hope.

[bjl584]

Is the vehicle only for work? If not, the insurance and maintenance would have to happen anyway, so that isn't a work expense. Gas is, especially if you have a long commute.

It's my daily driver, so I use it for everything. My commute is about 8-9 miles one way. So, less than 20 miles a day for work commute.

[feh]

Personally, I spend little to nothing for my job. I live 8 miles from my office so minimal gas usage, under a gallon per day. Parking is free. I pack my lunch but I'd have to eat no matter what so that's not really a job expense. I do have several licenses and certifications I have to maintain but my employer pays those costs.

I'm in the same boat as you Steve. Transportation costs is the only thing I'd save on if I wasn't working at all. 20 miles round trip.

[disneysteve]

I'm in the same boat as you Steve. Transportation costs is the only thing I'd save on if I wasn't working at all. 20 miles round trip.

And if I wasn't working, I'd probably drive more as we'd be out and about doing things so it would actually cost more. I know we wouldn't just be sitting home all day.

[bigdaddybus]

Roughly $2,500 a year. The bulk of that is the cost is owning a 2nd car (vehicle cost, insurance, maintenance & repairs, fees). When I retire, DH & I will share one car. The balance is gasoline for commute, a bit extra for clothing/shoes/accessories, office parties/gifts, plus small misc expenses like a thermal cup to bring water to work.

good point on the expense of owning a second car. last year my wife and I moved 35 miles from work and we started commuting together. My car sits at home now collecting dust as we use hers as the work car. We could save some cash for sure if we got rid of a car now.

[greenskeeper]

Or I can use the actual cost which makes more sense.

So you can foresee future wear and tear on the vehicle which may not show up every year? Depreciation from use?

The IRS rate is a very good way to track vehicle cost.

[disneysteve]

So you can foresee future wear and tear on the vehicle which may not show up every year? Depreciation from use?

The IRS rate is a very good way to track vehicle cost.

Gotcha. I wasn't thinking in terms of a future forecast. I meant looking back, like how much I spent last year. I'm at work right now but I'm curious how close the IRS number matches actual. I'll have to check.

[SavingMum]

I work full time from home with my baby, so I save on the childcare which is great. However, I did go into the office once and it was incredible, I came home and was DONE for the day! As is, I'm constantly working and catching up on hours (hours are flexible but I have to do 7.5 of them a day!) so I'm horribly behind on housework and everything else If I'd work at the office, then true, I'd have to pay childcare (and the 1 hr commute by bus - but I think the company pays for a monthly bus pass) but then there would be a clear separation between home and work, which I don't have at the mo.

So right now? Zero expenses - apart from the occasional cleaning help for when I'm REALLY not coping.

(Internet + food I'd have anyway, company bought my laptop)

[thestrongprofessional]

Work expenses

Hey guys,

I don't have many expenses associated with work. I live 4 miles away from work so the commute is short. I spend about $30 per month on gas but that includes me using the car elsewhere. Up until this week I didn't have to pay for parking. Now they've implemented a new rule where they charge me $45 per month. It's been a real bummer. I pack lunch pretty much everyday but I do go out for lunch once or twice a month on Fridays. This adds up to about $45 on going out to eat each month. On average, I spend just over $110 per month associated with my work.

Raphael