It’s easy to be distracted by any number of things at home – the TV, radio, household chores, pets. Pick a location that is quiet, comfortable, and conducive to a productive day, including an ergonomically designed chair. This work space should be a distinct, separate area, ideally one that is designated as your home office.
This may require some upfront expenses, so compare those costs with the savings you can expect from working at home. For example, you may save:
- An average of $1,000 a year by eating lunch at home instead of a restaurant or cafeteria.
- Wear and tear on your car, an average 4.9 cents per mile, according to AAA.
- On insurance. You may be eligible for a low-mileage discount on your car insurance when you work at home.
- On clothing. Your attire need not be as formal in your home office as a corporate office.
In addition, some companies provide paid at-home training programs, again reducing the time and expenses of commuting and having to be in an office. If you want an easy way to calculate those savings, use the Lifestyle Benefits Calculator that we offer would-be applicants to our home agent program at Convergys, a Cincinnati-based relationship-management company that provides customer service from call centers and agent homes in the United States and around the world.
