How to maintain your pandemic saving habits as you return to the office

Personal finance experts weigh in on how to avoid falling into old pandemic spending habits as you return to the office.

Like many Canadians, Kevin Koudys managed to save a fair bit of money working from home during the pandemic.

Not having to make the commute from Hamilton, Ont. to Toronto alone saved him about $150 a week on gas and train fares, which, along with lower spending on meals and other expenses helped him save about $15,000 in total.

But as those who have worked remotely for two years begin to head back to the office some or all of the time, they’re realizing those savings rates could evaporate quickly.

“You’re tempted to spend money,” said Koudys. “You go for coffee with colleagues, you buy lunches.”

Personal finance expert Jessica Moorhouse suspects many people will fall back into their old spending habits as they return to the office, but she hopes they will see what they were able to save throughout the pandemic and be more mindful as a result.

“There’s nothing wrong with buying coffee or lunch, but just remember what you’d be giving up if all of your money goes toward coffee and lunch,” she said.

For marketing professional Katherine Wong Too Yen, being able to work from home full time throughout the pandemic allowed her to save upwards of 50 per cent of her income and buy a cottage as a first-time homebuyer. She had previously been aiming for a condo in Toronto.

She said not going into the office meant not having to spend so much on personal grooming.