Have you been a work-from-home warrior since the start of the first lockdown? Despite all the practice you’ve been getting as a remote worker, you may still be struggling to log on.
While your personal aptitude for tech will play a role, so will your location.
Indiana, for example, might seem like a good choice to put down roots. The state has some of the most affordable housing prices, even with inflation raising prices across the board. However, its power grid is struggling, and many Hoosiers have limited Internet access.
If you live in Indiana—or any other state that might pose similar challenges — you’ll want to prepare for these barriers. Keep scrolling to find out how to protect your workday and budget below.
Save for Regular Tech Maintenance
If your employers don’t supply tech support, it can be costly to cover maintenance and repairs on your own, so it’s a good idea to set aside some savings for eventual upkeep.
While you might not need to dip into these savings often, you’ll thank yourself when your desktop shows the blue screen of death, or you accidentally knock over a cup of steaming hot coffee onyour laptop.
Generally speaking, you should have three to six months of expenses in an emergency fund. If this saving this much will take you a while, the state of Indiana is sending $650 checks to help with inflation, and this windfall could give a solid boost to your fund.
Have a Cushion
Sometimes, an emergency will cost more than what you have tucked away. In these urgent situations, an online line of credit can provide some support. You’ll be able to put your unexpected repair on credit and pay it off when you have the funds.
Unlike an installment loan with a fixed term, a personal line of credit in Indiana is a revolving form of credit. This means you’ll be able to access your credit limit anytime you pay off your balance and keep the account in good standing.
As a result, an IN line of credit can helps months (or even years) after the first time you use it. Until then, it remains open and easy to access when disaster strikes.
Improve Your Internet Connection
According to this report, just 22 percent of households in Indiana have high-speed Internet. More than 13 percent don’t have adequate broadband infrastructure, and nearly half of Hoosiers live in an area with only one Internet provider.
With connectivity issues like this, there’s a good chance your Internet might not be the best. Follow these tips if you want to speed up your Internet connection
- Get a Wi-Fi booster
- Optimize your router settings
- Update your security
You may also want to tweak your budget to afford a faster speed.
Backup Your Workday
With Indiana threatening rolling blackouts, you can expect power outages to interfere with your workday. You can be prepared for these outages by never letting your battery drop below 50%.
If you encounter frequent power issues, you may want to talk to an electrician and your utility provider. As a last resort, a backup power device and external hard drive can help.
Bottom Line
If the post-pandemic grind is happening at home, your tech is your lifeline to the office. Make sure it’s up to the job without busting your budget by following today’s tips.