The hidden costs of working!

[Snog]

I lost my job due to ill health this year.
Fortunately DP is working, but we have taken a big hit on income. I have always worked full time so not working is very new to me. Life does seem to be significantly cheaper without the expenses related to working. I am past the stage of needing childcare, however
I no longer spend:
£60 a month on lunches at work
£10 a month on work cards and gifts
£100 a month on work clothes
£60 a year on work meals out
£100 on xmas gifts for my team

On top of this I no longer need to spend as much on other things as I have time to shop around and don't need to do stuff at peak times eg can shop at Aldi

What savings do you make by not having a job?

These are not exactly hidden costs though, are they? And a lot are avoidable - e.g. packed lunches.

Did you have a pension scheme? Are you replacing your employer's contributions into it now you aren't working?

I'm quite shocked at your work clothes bill. If you're no longer using them, I know a fantastic place for them

I pay £712 childcare (no tax credits and only CB) £108 petrol. That's it tho really.

I am feeling so grateful I work from home self-employed having read this thread lol.

Where do you work? Must be a very high flying job! £60 lunches and £100 clothes?

My biggest expense is the commute. It's a 70 mile round trip!

Work clothes is non existent because surely I still have to wear clothes every day? It's not a suit job and work clothes aren't more expensive than casual clothes. (I actually wear the same tops but with trousers instead of jeans).

So the things I'll save on if I'm not working are petrol, cleaner, and childcare.

But then I'll use more central heating and water at home

Whimsical if Phase Eight jersey dresses size 14 are your thing I can send you some!

They bloody would be, you fancy but very kind person. Unfortunately not my size. I think I'll have a little cry about that...!

I have worked in some very sociable places and at one point we went out every week to a pub quiz so I dread to think how much I spent. Plus there was one job where we used to go straight out for 2 for 1 cocktails on Thursday nights.

My colleague used to wear Missoni knit frocks to work and had a few Prada handbags. I can easily believe a thousand a year for smart office clothes.

Is the alternative to "going out for drinks with colleagues" always "staying at home spending nothing"?

And is the alternative to "buying smart workwear" always "only wearing old jeans"?

You may spend LESS in these areas but the whole amount that you spend shouldn't be counted as savings, because you would probably still spend some money on clothes and socialising.

I suppose the alternative to 'going out for drinks with colleagues' is 'just going out for drinks with friends'. In work you'd still go out with friends but also end up having to go out with colleagues. That's the additional expense.

For me 'going out for drinks with colleagues' = going out for drinks in London where I'm likely to spend minimum £20 on a bottle of wine for the table or a round of drinks, and then we'll often end up eating because it'll be so late by the time we get home and then it's another £20 on pizza or pub food or whatever by the time a bill has been split and tips etc.

If I go out for drinks with friends after a day working at home (not in London) we tend to eat before we head out and my drinks for the evening will be £15 absolute tops. Or if we do want to eat out then we head straight out to eat and generally my bill for the evening will be £25 for main course, pudding and my share of the wine bill.

My social life locally definitely costs less than my going out after work social life. The difference isn't huge as a one off but it adds up over time.

£100 pm on work clothes! I am known to buy a few clothes but what? How? From where?

On another note - I am moving to a local hi soon and the amount I'll spend on travel is crazy. Literally around £4K annually.

This thread is a bit illogical. Of course there is a cost for going to work, but it's an opportunity cost and because you're investing in something that gives you a return. Is it really a savings if you're not working and total income is reduced/nil? (Not talking about those people who work from home)

This thread is in danger of becoming smug --- 'aren't we clever AND saving money for not going to work' (and possibly relying on someone else for our income).

I imagine a thread titled 'Isn't it amazing to get out of the house to work...and make my OWN money' would go down just as well on MN!

My post should have said the amount I will SAVE on transport is crazy

I take food to work most days and wear the same things a lot. And shop in Lidl on the way home. So work doesn't cost me very much :)

Tights, I spend a bloody fortune on tights.

I think if people really knew the cost of working when they have children they'd be surprised.
Yes, some is optional but many take the option
The one that still shocks me is childcare, how can anyone afford to work, it must cost them a fortune. It's a full salary gone, just like that.

Size 14 Phase 8 dresses are my thing! You should probably get ebaying them though really.

I spend more when I'm at work because I have less time to organise and budget. I tend to throw money at stuff, Although I always take my own lunch.

I've had the odd week off when the kids are at school and spent far less.

snog

the cost saved from me not working bought us another house and enabled us to be mortgage free at a young age.
It does add up, and some people are oblivious to the costs.
I shudder to think how many cars I would have got through, or the cost of public transport over the last 25 years

I am amazed at how well i have managed on maternity leave.

Big savings are petrol, i really try to cut all unnecessary car journeys out.
Lunches - i was very bad at packing lunch.
Snacks - can of drink a bar of chocolate every afternoon. £1 a day.
Wine - was getting close to a both a day!!! Not bought any since i got pregnant (baby 6mo)
Clothes. Sponsorship. Birthdays. Lunches out.

I've managed so well i am trying to go part time. :-)

cost of the tube, cost of nanny/afterschool care, makeup and clothes, afterwork dos buying drinks, lunch and coffee/snack, food shopping online (no time to bargain hunt in local/cheap shops)

I am saving being at home unemployed...but I prefer to make money and spend it :)

£100 a month on work clothes?
Seems tiny to me!!!

PS you might save a bit but you're not all
Surely saying you're much better off financially by not working are you?
And with childcare you need to play the long game... Once they're older all that cash you earn is spent on other things!