Get your budget sorted for heading back to the office with these savvy tips

FEELING the pinch after your first week back in the office?

More than half of us have returned to our desks at least three days a week, according to a survey from Ocean Finance.

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If that means your budget is taking a hit, here are some ways to cut back . . . 

DITCH TAKEAWAY COFFEES:

The average coffee costs £2.63, which works out at £410.28 a year if you have three a week.

Instead, take advantage of drink-making facilities in the office. If there aren’t any, set up a kitty for a kettle, tea bags and coffee so you can pool your money.

REJIG YOUR WARDROBE: Forget buying clothes for work, get on Pinterest and learn how to create a “capsule ten-piece wardrobe” you can rotate.

Need to add an item? Swap with mates or use one of my fave Facebook groups, The Great British Clothes Swap.

No item is ever more than £10 and you’re helping the planet, too.

USE ‘FLEXI’ TICKETS: To reflect the new hybrid pattern of working from home and the office, many transport companies are offering flexi tickets.

This allows you to purchase a discounted block of tickets which you can then use over a specified period.

For example, Stagecoach allows you to buy ten day tickets for the price of seven, and you have 12 months to use them.

BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH: While the office canteen or nearby cafes can be convenient, they can be expensive.

In fact, the average lunch costs over £6, which amounts to more than £936 a year if you eat out three days a week.

Instead, prep meals at home and batch-cook at weekends.

SNACK SMART: Whether nipping out to a shop for a treat or raiding the vending machine, spending £1 a day adds up.

Instead, purchase multipacks and stash a week’s supply in your desk drawers.

JOIN THE CLUB: Want to get fit but a gym membership is too expensive? Get a few colleagues together and start a running club, or hit the park in your lunch break.

It’s also a great way to stop you spending during your break.
lPrices correct at time of going to press.

Deals and offers subject to availability.

DEAL OF THE DAY

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DRY off with the Kleeneze 3-tier elegant clothes airer, down from £29.99 to £18 at tofs.com.

SAVE: £11.99.

CHEAP TREAT

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THERE’S a sale on at Iceland with lots of items half price, including Kellogg’s Honey Loops cereal, was £2, now £1.

SAVE: £1.

TOP SWAP

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KIDS love to get their hands messy with crafts.

The Play-Doh super colour kit costs £11 at Argos, but you can save at Home Bargains, where the Oh My Dough: Ice cream parlour is just £5.99.

SAVE: £5.01.

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SHOP & SAVE

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GET up to 50 per cent off kids’ clothes at Boots. This striped T-shirt was £6, now it’s just £3.

SAVE: £3.

• Prices on this page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk