Employee discovers how to avoid the 'hidden tax' of the office and saves $600 each month: 'It's about financial survival'

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Nov 10, 2025 11:00 AM EST

Working in an office can really wear a worker down. Businesses want to see their employees in person, working hard. But it turns out that remote work is just as efficient, if not more so, as this worker explained from their own lived experience. 

I totally agree with this person. Working totally remotely can get a bit lonesome, but working in an office 40+ hours a week can be pretty monotonous. I think the best is a hybrid model — working remotely 1 or 2 days a week, while joining your colleagues at the office the rest of the week. 

If you already work in an office, you know exactly what the grind is like. Monday morning, you wake up at probably 7 or 8 AM and shower, dress, pack a lunch, get the kids off to school or kiss your pets goodbye, then hop in your car or get on transit to commute for a while. Sometimes you're exhausted from that commute before you even get to the office! You chat with coworkers, drink lukewarm office coffee, perhaps purchase a sandwich at a nearby deli, and head home around 5 or 6. With your remaining few hours of the day, you'll probably be doing chores, caring for family members, and if you're lucky, you'll have time to plop down on the couch with your family members and watch a show before falling asleep.

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  • Compare that to a work from home day, which is bound to be more relaxing. If you start work at 9 AM, you can literally wake up at 8:45 if you want to. All your meals are just steps away from your home office — fresh, easy to prepare, and it won't cost a thing. You can lay in bed all day, wear your sweatpants, listen to music as loud as you want… there are a lot of perks! 

    This person literally did the math, and discovered how much their WFH gig was saving them. It's an eye-opening look at the hidden costs of office work, which commenters were also eager to discuss. 

  • 01

    'I never realized how much money I was wasting until I went remote'

    Woman in orange shirt and white pants sits on bed with laptop in front of her
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    Last night, I checked my old budget from my office days out of curiosity.
    via u/Lazy-Coffee-5938
  • 03
    Gas: $180/month Lunches & coffee: -$250 Parking: $100 Clothes & dry cleaning: $75
    via u/Lazy-Coffee-5938
  • 04
    That's over $600 a month just to exist in an office.
    via u/Lazy-Coffee-5938
  • 05
    Now, I make breakfast, eat leftovers, and wear hoodies. My only commute is from the bed to the desk.
    via u/Lazy-Coffee-5938
  • 06
    I used to think remote was about comfort but honestly, it's financial survival too. I can actually save now.
    via u/Lazy-Coffee-5938
  • 07
    RealisticB... The "hidden tax" of office work is real. We basically paid hundreds just to look productive under bad lighting.
    via u/RealisticBoss8158
  • 08
    Hampshire... I'm based in the UK. I save £15 a day ($19.56) if I work from home. Currently in the office 2 days a week.
    via u/Hampshire-UK
  • 09
    I am also 4 stone (56lb) lighter than when I was FT in the office.
    via u/Hampshire-UK
  • 10
    Bare-Knuc... This is one of the primary reasons the RTO lobby has so much influence.
    via u/Bare-Knuckled
  • 11
    Their vampirism funds a lot of otherwise worthless parasitical "businesses" that sell $30 slop bowls and charge $40 for a day of office parking.
    via u/Bare-Knuckled
  • 12
    Without RTO, none of those fake businesses get money. Fleecing of workers in action!
    via u/Bare-Knuckled
  • 13
    Woman in orange shirt and slacks sits cross legged at desk while using laptop
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 14
    golemcan... I'm hybrid rn but already such a massive difference in why I was spending before, it's so crazy how the little things add up
    via u/golemcancer
  • 15
    Lumpy_Ca... I was getting a full tank of gas every Friday when I had to go into the office, now I drive so little (I am super boring), I only fill up 2-3x per
    via u/Lumpy_Cabinet_4779
  • 16
    YEAR. Plus all the similar things you mentioned (lunch adds up!).
    via u/Lumpy_Cabinet_4779
  • 17
    BetterCall... Exactly this, people always talk about remote work like it's just about pajamas and flexibility, but the savings are huge. It's wild how
    via u/BetterCall_Melissa
  • 18
    much we used to spend just to show up for work every day. Once you cut out gas, food, parking, and "looking professional," it's like getting a quiet raise.
    via u/BetterCall_Melissa
  • 19
    Remote life isn't just convenient, for a lot of us, it's the first time money actually stretches.
    via u/BetterCall_Melissa
  • 20
    Woman in orange shirt and slacks sits on couch using phone with hair wrapped in white towel
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 21
    Mountain_... This is why they don't want remote work- they want people poor, inconvenienced, and tired.
    via u/Mountain_Balance_782
  • 22
    Signal-Zo... paying to park for your job is such theft
    via u/Signal-Zone1696

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