Work At A Job – Working Outside The Home

When I was working for the parks department of my local region, I thought I was making good money. At almost 16 dollars per hour and no formal training or education, it was not a bad wage, or so I thought. The combination of my wife’s salary plus my own did not make us rich, but avoiding the many luxuries that the rich take for granted, such as expensive restaurants and concerts, we got by alright. This is a typical attitude when one works at a job and accepts the hand they are dealt. And although a lot of people enjoy their job and feel lucky to even have one in hard economic times, most people always complain about it or feel unfulfilled.

Most people complain about how hard it is to save and make ends meet and get the bills paid on time, if at all some months. When I started to look closely at my own expenses and the costs associated to work at a job away from home and commute, I started to gain some real insight as to how much I was really making an hour. Most of us when posed the question of (how much are your costs related to working expenses) will probably assume vehicle and gas money are a big factor. And car expenses are a big part of the yearly costs. But even if you car-pool or take the bus or public transit to work, you are probably wondering where all the money is going.

To help figure out how much it is you are actually making or losing when you work at a job away from home, start thinking about the cost of not being there. If you have young children and you and your spouse both work, you know the costs associated with childcare. Not only while you are at work, but travel time and gas money to and from the facility. This can get rather expensive, even if you are fortunate enough to have an in home sitter, but they can sometimes be unreliable as well. When working at home these costs can be avoided. Childcare costs can run well over $8,000 dollars a year and more.

Other larger costs such as vehicle maintenance and travel as mentioned above can be significant. If living in a cold and snowy climate little extras such as snow tires can result in significant expense, as well as rust control, depreciation and insurance. The little things such as washer fluid can add up also. Having no choice other than to drive to work in a storm is not only dangerous, but also stressful. Many people who work from home say they are less stressed and allot their travel time to a hobby or working out, or going for a walk.

Keeping all your larger commuting expenses in mind, do not forget all the smaller ones associated with your job away from home. Work clothes such as boots and other equipment can be costly if not supplied by an employer. If you work in an office, suits and nice clothes are another consideration, especially if you want to look professional. Lunches and more paid for car insurance (as opposed to leisure insurance when you work from home) and hiring repair people to fix things you could do yourself, are things to look at when considering the cost of your job.

Many people who make a common wage will discover that they are really only making very little after realizing or discovering their actual expenses when they work at a job. It is not uncommon to find out you are really only making 3 to 7 dollars per hour typically, when making $30 to $35,000 dollars a year. Sometimes even less. And always remember that the more you make, the more taxes you pay unless you have deductions. Many things can be claimed a deductions when working from home such as office materials, a computer and any upgrades such as high speed Internet or your service provider.

Work At A Job - Employee Expenses