Saving money shouldn’t feel like a punishment, and whether you’re working from home, in an office, or in a hybrid situation where you’re never entirely sure where your laptop actually lives, being budget conscious at work is a skill that’s worth mastering. Even if you’re not the one making the big financial decisions, like getting solar panels for your business, you can make everyday choices that save money and reduce waste. Let’s take a look at some simple ways that you can keep your workplace budget friendly without turning into the office killjoy.
Master the art of using what you’ve got.
Before you order anything new, ask yourself whether you really need it or you just like clicking shop. Most workplaces have drawers full of orphaned pens, abandoned notebooks, and enough sticky notes to wallpaper a house. Use these before you request new supplies, because you’re going to save money and look like a sustainability warrior. Win, win.
Be smart with your energy use.
Even the smaller changes make a difference. So before you buy solar panels for the roof, turn off the lights whenever room’s not in use, switch your computer to energy saving mode, and unplug any chargers when they’re not doing anything. If you’re working from home, this will help your personal bills too, and who doesn’t want that? Plus nothing screams responsible adult energy like being the person who cares about not wasting anything.
Don’t treat the printer like a free for all.
Paper is precious, toner is expensive, and printers, well, printers are divas. So before you hit print, ask whether or not you can read it on a screen, if it can be shared digitally, and do you really need 37 colour copies of this spreadsheet? Not only will you save on ink and paper, but you’ll also save on therapy sessions for the printer.
Make meetings efficient.
A great way to save money in your business is to stop wasting time. Time is money, especially at work, and if you’re running meetings, keep them short, focused and free from the dreaded this could have been an e-mail energy. If you’re attending meetings, come prepared so nobody has to sit through long silences or rambling monologues. Efficient meetings equal fuel wasted hours, which equals more productivity and saved resources.
Bring your own lunch.
Buying lunch every day adds up faster than a toddler counting snacks. Bringing your own food saves a fortune, reduces packaging waste, and makes you feel like someone who genuinely has their life together. You don’t have to queue behind anyone who takes forever to order either.
Being budget-conscious at work isn’t about depriving yourself of anything, cracking down on anyone else, or becoming the office. Budgeting police is just about making small decisions that help save money, energy and resources. The tiny actions add up, so switch off the light and make sensible purchases.You’ll end up contributing to a workplace that’s more efficient.
