Frugality Continues in the Workplace

It's so easy to think about savings, spending less, and being environmentally friendly at home. However, these are habits that must be cultivated. As such, it's important that these principles carry over into all areas of our lives including our jobs.

So I would like to share with you the opportunities that I have to practice these habits at my new job. I used to work at a firm and now I work at a Company. This Company is void of perks, such as free coffee, teabags, and bottled water. If I would like a beverage, I have to buy it in the little coffee shop or the cafeteria in the Plaza. There are two vending machines on the my floor. One for junk food and the other for soda and water.

There was a time when I would have thought nothing of purchasing refreshments to the tune of $5 to $10 per day. But now that I'm on my shackle release program, this is a super huge deal to me. I drink 2-3 cups of coffee every day. At $1.64 per 16 ounce cup of coffee or tea, that would be nearly $5 per day or $25 per week or $100 per month. Yikes! That would be $100 that I'm taking from my debt snowball -- not a chance!! Not to mention how many disposable cups, plastic lids, and sleeves that I would use if I were to purchase coffee daily.

Let's talk about bottled water. My goal is to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. Hmm. Let's think about this. If I buy three 20 ounce bottles of water from the vending machine (no tax there, but tax at the coffee shop) at $1.25 per bottle that would be $3.75 each day, $18.75 each week, $75 each month. What did I say before...Yikes!

So here's my plan. Today, I purchased a 4-cup coffee maker and a pound of coffee for work. I'm also taking my favorite mug with me. The savings will be nearly $175 per month.

The last thing I'd like to share with you is my commute. Now I will be commuting about 60 miles round trip. Up until now, driving that alone would not have been a big deal to me, but it is now. I've decided to join a van pool. My parking expense is going to be $90 per month if I drive. I think that money would be better spent in another area of my life, don't you. Say, for example, my shackle release program. I drive an economical car, but it still needs gas. Joining the van pool would be a savings on gas and on the environment. There will be less fumes in the air from my vehicle. Something I always forget about is wear and tear on the car and additional miles on the car. My husband says that I will pay more in car insurance if I drive the longer commute, but that I may be eligible for additional discounts if I van pool.

So need I say more? Providing my own refreshments and joining the van pool helps me spend less, potentially save more, and leave a smaller carbon footprint.