Working from home sounds like a dream right? It’s a dream that many people have, the freedom to work the hours that suit you in an environment you have control over.

But is it as great as it sounds? It can be, but there are plenty of downsides that might make you think twice about freelancing from home. We’ve put together a list of pros and cons to help you decide if it’s really for you.

Pros

It’s cheaper

There are alternatives like working from coffee shops, co-working spaces or libraries, but they almost always end up being expensive.

Working from home is cheaper not just because it’s free (besides the bills) but it also means you’re less likely to spend money on lunches, coffees and transport that you might if you worked away from home.

It can be healthier

Working from home means that you’ve got the opportunity to cook healthy meals in your kitchen. If you work for yourself, you also have the chance to hit the gym during the day with an off peak membership which will help you get fit but also save you some money at the same time.

No commute

Having no commute in the morning will make you the envy of everyone you know. So much time and money is wasted stuck in traffic. Working from home means less stress, less wasted time and it’s also better for the environment too.

You can claim expenses

You will be able to claim expenses for some of your bills if you work from home. You’ll have to claim only a proportional amount depending on your working situation. So for example, if you use one room out of five for working, you could claim for a fifth of your household bills which will save you some money come tax time.

Cons

Maybe not so healthy

While working from home can be healthier, that depends on you. You may be the opposite side of the spectrum where having your own kitchen and fridge to hand means you end up eating more junk food. Some people will also eat more unhealthy food if they know no one’s watching.

Distractions

This is the number one struggle for freelancers working from home. Left to your own devices it’s easy enough to waste hours every day checking through social media, online shopping, watching TV or doing housework. Unfortunately, time wasted is time you’re not earning money.

It takes a huge amount of self-discipline to work at home, so you need to be sure whether you can commit to this. Most people find that setting themselves a strict working schedule helps.

Loneliness

While working on your own might seem great, loneliness can set in and become a problem for anyone. It can end up affecting your mental health so it’s important that you’re looking for ways to replace the interaction you used to have at your old job.

You might overwork

While many freelancers working from home struggle to motivate themselves to work, the opposite can be a problem too. Not having a strict working schedule can mean that you end up working for longer, which eats into your free time.

This can leave you more stressed, lonely and can affect relationships with whoever you live with. Make sure you know when to take a break and put work away for the day. It helps if you have a separate room to work in so you can just step out of it at the end of the day.

Are you planning to work from home? What are you looking forward to or dreading most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.