If you still work from home at this point in the post-pandemic world, congratulations! You’re a part of the lucky cohort who doesn’t have to go back to the office now that social distancing is a thing of the past.
Even though you may have a few years of working at home under your belt, your at-home setup could use some improvements. Subtle changes to your equipment and financial setup will help you handle workday emergencies, reinforce a healthy work-life balance, and improve your productivity.
Table of Contents
1. An Emergency Fund
Finances can pose a distraction for anyone nowadays. With inflation still higher than normal and threats of a recession, you may be worried about the future, especially if your employer doesn’t offer a satisfying safety net.
At a time like this, an emergency fund is especially important for a remote worker. These cash savings can help you handle whatever life throws at you — whether it’s unpaid time off, tech repairs, or household maintenance.
Setting aside some cash with each paycheck can help you handle tech breakdowns and office repairs with confidence.
If you’re lucky, you won’t have to dip into this fund very often. Your fund will grow with each month you save.
If an emergency arrives before you save enough, an online loan may be a safety net. Online loans are conveniently available by phone or on your desktop, so you can easily see what options there are with a simple web search. Comparing rates and applying for online loans is simple, too, which removes one less hassle during the stress of an emergency.
2. Ergonomic Desk and Chair
Most remote workers know that spending eight hours a day, five days a week hunched over a laptop is not a comfortable way to work. But some desks are no better than an ad-hoc setup at the kitchen table or living room couch.
Although a desk may seem more professional, it can leave you aching at the end of the day if it doesn’t support good alignment and posture. Worse yet, these bad setups can even lead to chronic pain that interferes with your workday.
To avoid such injuries, you should invest in ergonomic furniture. Your chair should support your lumbar spine and allow your knees to form a right angle with your feet resting on the floor. The height of your desk should also be high enough that your elbows form a right angle with your forearms when you type.
3. Separate Work and Personal Tech
All too often, your personal laptop moonlights as your work PC. The same goes for your personal and work phones.
While this may seem convenient at first, a single device that does it all may blur the boundaries between your work and personal life. This makes it harder to log off, something that’s already notoriously hard to do at home.
Talk to your employer about how they can support an appropriate work-life balance, and ask what they’re willing to contribute towards at-home tech.
Should you use an online loan if they aren’t willing to pitch in? An online loan is designed for emergencies only, so consider using your budget to save up for new tech instead.
Improve Your Workday at Home
A better work-life balance, a pain-free workday, and financial security — these tips can help you achieve all three.