Return-to-Work Sticker Shock: How to Save

Commuting costs ​

Whether you drive, take public transit or use a ride-sharing service, getting to and from work has gotten a lot more expensive since COVID-19 hit U.S. shores. That means a bigger portion of your disposable income has to go to commuting costs when you return to work. There are several ways to save on gas, including shopping around for the best price, limiting the number of trips you take and keeping your vehicle properly maintained. To take the savings even further, Khalfani-Cox says, workers need to think about substitutions. “Yes, you have to get from your place of residence to your job, but does it really have to be in your own vehicle,” she says. “What opportunities are there to take public transit, is it viable to carpool, or perhaps ride a bike or even walk to work?” If you are a two-car household, use the vehicle that is cheapest to fill up for the longest commute or, even better, carpool together. If your employer is flexible, try to come into the office and leave during off-peak times. You won’t be stuck in traffic, wasting gas as your vehicle idles away. ​

Brown-bag lunch ​

Returning to the office usually means buying lunch from a local sandwich-and-salad shop, fast-food restaurant or food truck. Post pandemic, that’s going to cost you a lot more. According to Block, the digital payments company formerly known as Square, a bowl of greens costs 11 percent more now than a year ago, while the average price for wraps is up 18 percent. Meanwhile, tacos are 12 percent higher and sandwich prices are up 14 percent year over year as of March 1. To avoid lunchtime sticker shock, experts say to brown-bag it. Sure, you have to prepare in advance and it may not be as tasty as the sandwich shop or salad bar, but it can result in big savings. “Bringing it from home takes the cost of lunch from $20 back down to $5,” says Pam Krueger, founder of Wealthramp.com. “You just gave yourself an inflation hedge by planning a little more and being more conscious about what you are spending on.” Substituting store brands for brand-name groceries can increase the savings further. ​