Having a home office can be a great way to escape with your thoughts whenever you have a big project coming up. It’s also perfect for anyone who loves to stay home and really get some hard work in. Of course, if you’re a freelancer or run your own business the home office can be a crucial part of your day. Unfortunately, getting a home office together from scratch can be a big expenditure as can keeping it stocked with everything you need to smoothly operate. There are a few ways to avoid the big price tag while still getting the home office you need on your budget though. With these ten easy tips you’ll be ready to call in more often as your office will feel like the oasis you always dreamed it was.
1. Desk
The desk is the center of the office universe and is very important for your working abilities. No one wants to sit down to a desk that doesn’t cooperate with our needs. It should be spacious, organized and ready to help us get through whatever the day has in store. In order to get what you need out of a desk right down how you usually work. Do you need space to put papers? Extra lighting? Storage? When you know what you want you can find the desk you need without worrying about wasting money. This will allow you to get what you want on the first try, so you won’t have to waste gasoline taking items back. You should try shopping around discount and thrift stores if you’re really looking to save a bundle. However, if you’re feeling creative then it might be time to break out the tools and build your own desk. It doesn’t have to be a work of art as long as it is functional. There’s a lot of online tutorials that will show you how to make your creative desk out of an old door if you’re looking to keep it as simple as possible.
2. Seek Energy Star
A home office can really add to the home’s electric bill if you’re not careful. One way to remedy this problem is to only shop Energy Star products. These electronics are designed to pull less power when you use them which will help cut down on the amount you spend monthly in the home. These products usually don’t cost more than your average device, but you should always shop around to find the best deals. A lot of Energy Star devices will have mail in rebates too, so make sure you fill them out and get them in as soon as you can. Of course, even though you’re using energy efficient devices it is important to unplug them whenever they have a full battery or are not in use.
3. Furniture
Although the desk has already been mentioned, most home offices need a little more to add to the feng shui of the room. One of the most important items you should seek out is an office chair that you feel comfortable in as you’ll be spending a lot of time in it. You may also want to add a filing cabinet, shelves and a separate area to sit for when you need an eye break. Most of these items can be found at department stores, but when they total up it could cost you a lot of money. Instead of shopping for them all try building your own shelves. This doesn’t take a lot of time or money and can add to your pride in your office. Office chairs, extra seating and filing cabinets can all be found in second hand stores or yard sales if you’re lucky. Of course, you may not want to skip on the price of the office chair as it is important to have lumbar support and comfort while working. Instead, you may want to look on clearance, find coupons or wait for a big sale.
4. Buy in Bulk
Offices require a lot of supplies, so save yourself some time and money by buying in bulk. Although you may end up spending the majority of your time on the computer its still important to have writing utensils and paper around in case you need them. You may also want other accessories like paper clips, post-its, whiteout and staples. One of the biggest expenditures in today’s office world is printer ink or toner. Luckily, all of these items can be bought in bulk at a greatly discounted price. If you prefer to shop locally then try your discount store or some office warehouse stores, but makes sure to shop around before you buy. Shopping online might actually save you more though, especially on ink and toner. There’s many websites dedicated to helping you save big on this typically expensive item. When you buy in bulk you won’t have to worry about buying the items as often either. They’ll be there waiting for you when you need them and you’ll have ample time to save up before you have to buy them again.
5. Use Free Software
Many people run into the dilemma of not having software to do their work. Typically word processing, video and photo editing software as well as many other work oriented software choices are incredibly expensive to purchase. This leaves a lot of workers high and dry when they can’t get a copy from work. Instead of spending a fortune on the software you may want to try some of the free software models on the internet. There’s a lot of websites devoted to trying out these types of freeware and letting the consumer know which is closest to the name brand. This can come in handy when you have a big presentation and realize your home computer doesn’t let you work on the same file format. It might take a couple of tries to find a match for your needs, but when you don’t have to spend hundreds on the software you’ll be thankful you spent the time testing the waters.
6. Shop Sales
If you can hold off on any purchases then you should until there is a sale. You would be surprised as to how many sales actually revolve around furniture for the office. You shouldn’t have to wait long before you see some amazing deals on each piece that you need. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for furniture or office supplies either. In fact, one of the best times to stock up on your own supplies is during back to school sales; however if you wait until school is out you’ll get an even better deal on clearanced supplies. Computers are one of the best items to wait for a sale though. They tend to run pricey anyway, but with a sale you’ll end up saving at least a couple hundred of dollars on your investment. This is also a good time to purchase those expensive software items, if you really need them.
7. Invest in Blinds
One of the biggest problems with working at home can be the sun. If you work in a cubicle or larger area at the office then chances are you don’t have this issue at work. However, at home we tend to have windows that don’t want to cooperate with our needs. The best thing you can do to detour the sun from making your work experience a disaster is to get some blinds. Blinds work wonders for so many reasons and they’re fairly inexpensive. If you have average sized windows then head to your local department or discount stores with your measurements. If your windows might be a bit on the unique side then look for a sale or find a coupon to have your blinds custom cut. Once you have the blinds installed you can work whenever you want thanks to your control over harsh glares. Blinds will also add privacy to your space and will eliminate the temptation of looking out the window when you should be working.
8. Surge Protectors
Power is always an issue when it comes to offices, but there’s a few ways to fight back. One of these ways is the surge protector. This amazing device has the ability to help you conserve energy so you’ll help out the environment and your wallet. If you shop right you should be able to find a smart surge protector that stops the draw of power your devices pull when they’re off or in sleep mode. This means you can leave them plugged in without worrying about your energy bill skyrocketing. Surge protectors have become popular over the years for many reasons though. One of the main and most cost effective reasons is they won’t cause your computer or other devices to break whenever a power surge occurs. So, you can safely leave the home without worrying about a storm causing your electronics to die. Without this problem you won’t have to purchase electronics as often, which will make your budget look even better!
9. Use It
Although it might seem totally obvious, the best way to save money on a home office is to actually use it. Sure, this adds to the electric bill, but the more often you decide to work from home the more money you can save. If your boss doesn’t mind you staying in then try to make a deal with him/her so you can spend the majority of the week at home and simply check in a couple times a week. This will allow you to cut down on your commuting expenses which can add a whole lot of money to your wallet. Staying home also means you can spend less on childcare. If you don’t have a problem working with the kids and your typical workload then skip out on pricey daycares and enjoy having your family close to you! The more time you spend in your home office the more you’ll get comfortable with it, which is a reward in itself.
10. Tax Deductions
Having a home office can also be a huge benefit for your taxes. Whenever you buy anything for your office make sure you hang on to the receipt. Then, at the beginning of next year present your receipts to your accountant and see what kind of office deduction you can get. Now, you may have to put in a little work to get this deduction as it might take some time to prove you need the office and other basic requirements for the deduction. However, when you save a little on your taxes you’ll feel so great about your home office you may even consider giving it a makeover. Make sure to read up on home office tax deductions first, so you’ll know exactly what you need to turn in and what you’ll need to file in order to make your experience much easier.
A home office can be a great escape from the typical work place. If you’re looking for a way to get your work finished without having to go into work everyday, or you officially work from home then an office will become the highlight of your day. With these tips you should be able to get your office up and running without having to fight with your budget.
