Working from home is a great money saver. You don't have to pay to commute anywhere and work clothes can be reduced to the bare essentials. Many home office workers could not imagine working outside of their home office, especially during this economy crisis, when offices are becoming even more stressful places as people fend to try to keep their jobs.
Though you are probably wracking up a great financial saving, cost-conscious people can still save a little more by doing more when it comes to the environment. It actually doesn't take a whole lot to be more green, it just means that you have be a little more conscientious about how you use what you already have. Here are 3 great ways to green up your office and your company's financial state:
First, make every effort to make full use of that office paper. Buy for cheap all of the paper that you anticipate needing by using coupons, other office supply store discounts, or buying from a thrift store. You could even get the paper free if check companies that give away their surplus or scrap paper that can be recycled.
Both side of the paper should be used as much as possible. Print on both sides instead of just on one side and make little notepads from paper that is left over. You will be surprised how much use you can get out of a half sheet of paper! During this economy crisis, the savings that you realize by recycling that paper will definitely add up quickly.
Second, go digital with your filing and faxing. Instead of using paper for these tasks, you can sign up with an online faxing service, many of which are free or offer subscriptions that you can by for cheap, that allow for your faxes to go directly to your email for electronic filing. You will save financially and you will help the planet by producing less paper and metal waste from those file folders.
The other way to max out the savings and get the maximum green effect in your home office is to decorate it and furnish it with recycled furnishings. Buy for cheap good quality furniture from office surplus stores, clearance sales, thrift stores, and of course, yard sales and you will be able to have a beautifully furnished office for pennies on the dollar. In this economy crisis, finding ways to help our pockets can mean the difference between a successful business and one that struggles through this difficult financial time. In the long term, if our efforts help the environment, that's an even better endeavor.
You could also potentially get lots of office items totally free on websites like FREECYCLE.com. These are usually items listed by people that also have an interest in helping the environment but also want to help people to save money.
This economy crisis is a desperate time for many people around the world. Despite the negative news that we may read from time to time, your home office can thrive if you use a little creativity with how you furnish, supply, and operate your home office. Making a conscious effort to do what it takes for business and time saving, cost-cutting, and being more environmentally friendly in how you work can net your business and our world a wonderful saving that you will be glad about.
