When I first started working from home, I thought I was saving a lot. There were no more early morning bus rides, no need to buy office clothes, and definitely no random coffee shop runs.

Fast-forward a few months, and my electric bill was higher than usual, the internet upgrade was non-negotiable, and suddenly, our grocery budget seemed to vanish faster than the kids’ snacks. Working from home has its perks—flexibility, comfort, and more time with family—but it also comes with inevitable costs that add up before you even notice.

As a WFH mom, I’ve seen firsthand how those “hidden” expenses sneak into the monthly budget. And if you’re working remotely too, chances are you’ve felt them as well. Let’s talk about where those extra costs come from, so they don’t catch you off guard.

Rising Utility Bills

Electricity has gotten pricey—Meralco’s rate for April 2025 is around ₱13.01 per kWh, up from ₱ 12.29 the previous month. For a family using 200 kWh, that’s about ₱145 more on the bill.

Water isn’t far behind. Manila Water now charges about ₱61 per cubic meter, while Maynilad sits closer to ₱66. For most households, that means an extra hundred pesos or so every month.

It doesn’t sound like much at first, but when your laptop, aircon, and lights are running all day, those small jumps quickly stack up.

Internet and Connectivity Expenses

One of the biggest must-haves when working from home is fast and reliable internet. A basic plan doesn’t always cut it anymore, especially with daily Zoom calls, streaming lessons, and file uploads. That’s why many households end up upgrading to fiber plans like PLDT or Globe, which cost around ₱1,699/month.

But power outages and service interruptions happen, so having a backup is a lifesaver. Prepaid Wi-Fi or extra mobile data usually adds another ₱300–₱500 a month. I’ve lost count of how many times my mobile data saved me from cancelling a class or missing a writing deadline.

And of course, there are the one-time but necessary buys: routers, extenders, or even surge protectors. They don’t seem like much at first, but they’re part of the hidden price tag of working online.

Home Office Setup

At first, I thought a regular chair and my laptop were enough for working from home. A few weeks later, my stiff neck and sore back told me otherwise. That’s when I learned why remote workers often spend on better equipment.

An ergonomic chair can cost around ₱3,000–₱7,000, and pairing it with a good desk makes a huge difference. Then there are the must-have tools for online work: noise-cancelling headsets, an ergonomic mouse, an external keyboard, and even a decent webcam for clear video calls. These upgrades don’t seem urgent at the start, but once you feel the strain of long hours, they become essentials.

All of these are investments in comfort and productivity, but they’re also part of the hidden cost of working from home—costs that quickly replace whatever you save from skipping the daily commute.

Health and Wellness Costs

Working from home can take a toll on the body. Long hours sitting and staring at a screen often lead to stiff shoulders, back pain, and tired eyes. I’ve felt all of these at one point or another.

To ease the strain, I make it a point to get a full body massage at least once every two weeks. It helps me recharge, but since the whole family comes along, the expense doesn’t fall on me alone—it’s part of our household budget. On top of that, I always keep vitamins and supplements stocked for everyone. They may not seem like much individually, but buying them regularly adds up.

And then there’s eye care. Every two years, I need to upgrade my glasses, and let me tell you—they’re not cheap. But with hours spent teaching and writing online, clear vision is non-negotiable.

Final Thoughts

Working from home reshapes how we live our lives. The shifts may not always be obvious, but they’re felt in our routines, habits, and even the way we spend. The key is noticing these changes early and adjusting before they quietly overwhelm the budget.

How about you—what hidden costs have you discovered since moving your work into your home?