According to a new Workonomix survey by Accounting Principles, the average American worker spends a mean value of $3,000 a year on coffee and lunch at work. For a travel nurse or travel therapist who spends much of her time on the road, this could very well increase.
Traveling between assignments will mostly result in eating out on the road. While much of that cannot be helped, frequently visiting the local coffee shop, fast food chain or restaurant can make costs quickly increase for a travel physical therapist, travel RN or travel therapist.
Approximately 50 percent of the American workforce spends $1,000 a year on coffee and 66 percent buy lunch instead of brown-bagging it, costing them on average nearly $2,000 a year, reports the survey.
A daily low-cost lunch habit of $5 a day will add up to $25 a week and eventually $1,300 a year. Furthermore, if a travel nurse or travel therapist's assignment is in a city, finding a satisfying lunch for $5 may become almost impossible.
"Small – but consistent – expenses add up quickly over time, and it can be difficult for consumers to realize it because they're only spending a few dollars at a time. But, as our survey shows, those few dollars can quickly turn into a few thousand dollars," said Jodi Chavez, senior vice president, Accounting Principals.
A travel nurse or travel therapist seeking to increase her personal savings or reduce excess spending may wish to consider changing a few of her food habits. Otherwise, she may spend a small fortune by the time she retires.
"Consider the average American who works for about 40 years, starting their first job around age 22. By the time they retire at age 62 they would have spent at minimum $120,000 on coffee and lunch, not including inflation," Chavez said.
If a travel RN or travel physical therapist wishes to reduce this expenditure, there are a variety of tips and tricks they can use to keep themselves on track. One of the easiest solutions for nixing an expensive coffee habit is to invest in a quality travel mug, coffee machine and bean blend. Set those coffee machines to start automatically in the morning.
Although a traveler may eat out while traveling from one assignment to the next, once they are settled into their housing for the assignment, they will be able to cook meals and pack lunches just like anyone else. The apartments come fully furnished with pots and pans for cooking.
Overall, the biggest budget saver a travel nurse or therapist can dedicate herself to is setting a monthly limit for food costs while at work and sticking to it. The budget is a matter of personal preference, but could assist a nurse or therapist in lowering expenditures and saving more annually.