Pack a lunch they say. My floor has 80 people working on it and features a kitchenette having two microwaves and a single small apartment-sized refrigerator. I work downtown (well, used to - now I work from home) and lunch is going to typically set you back $15, $10 if you're being super budget-conscious. That was pre-pandemic, I don't even know what it's like now with the recent hikes in food costs. Parking was company-subsidized so was only $60 per month. I had a 30 minute commute each way (10 minute drive in non-rush hour traffic - I live reasonably close to downtown, but "rush hour" is a 3 hour block in the morning and another 3 hour block in the afternoon).
In my situation, if you're frugal, going back to the office will cost $250 per month - and I haven't even factored in gasoline yet. For that I get to "enjoy" a 1 hour commute and sit in an open floor plan office where everybody is wearing headphones and collaborating via IM.
I don't want to go back to that, much less pay to go back to that!
In my situation, if you're frugal, going back to the office will cost $250 per month - and I haven't even factored in gasoline yet. For that I get to "enjoy" a 1 hour commute and sit in an open floor plan office where everybody is wearing headphones and collaborating via IM.
I don't want to go back to that, much less pay to go back to that!