With all of the economic woes people in the U.S. (and around the world) are facing, it’s no wonder many people are concerned for their jobs. If you work from home, though, be thankful. While you’re not immune, there are many reasons you are in a better situation than your commuting brethren. Here are five ways working from home helps you.

Saves Gas Money

You have no commute, which saves time, but it also saves money. With gas prices in flux and people needing to find places to cut their budgets, you have a huge financial burden out of the way. I live 45 minutes from Louisville, Kentucky, the 16th largest city in the nation. Driving there and back costs me around $10. By not commuting – since that’s where I’d be most likely to find an office job – I’m saving $200 a month. How much do you save by not commuting?

Gives You Flexibility

Do you need to pick up a few hours at a local retail shop? Do you need to spend more time cooking from scratch to save on the grocery bill? Because you work from home, you have the flexibility to make your work schedule fit what your family needs. Perhaps you worked 9-5 but are finding that doesn’t work for your family right now. Never fear; you can adjust as needed.

Gives You Power Over Business

While you cannot control all of the factors related to how well your business will do, you do have more power than the average cubicle-dweller. If business looks like it’s drying up, pound the pavement. Spend time looking for more work and then work later into the evening if necessary.

Means Low Overhead

Yes, writing off a percentage of your mortgage is nice, but let’s face it. You have to pay that mortgage whether you’re working from home or not. By working from home, rather than running your business from an office setting, you have very low overhead. If needed, you can cut back internet and phone services to the bare essentials, and you will be running your business for close to nothing each month. Those savings over running a business outside of your home really add up in a tough economy.

Lets You Leave

If the at-home business isnt working out right now, you may find that you need to bail on the business and seek out employment. If you’re working from home, you probably don’t have employees, which means you don’t have to worry about others losing their jobs. You also don’t have lease agreements, lots of equipment, and other expenses, which makes closing up shop simpler and less expensive.

By Brandi Rhoades