How to Manage Your Time, Money & Emotional Wellbeing While Working Remotely

The panel included Rod Griffin: Director of Consumer Education and Awareness at Experian; Talaat and Tai: Money and Marriage Experts; Alicia R. Hudnett Reiss: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™; Take Charge America; Patrina Dixon: Personal Finance Expert; Beverly Harzog: Credit Card Expert and Consumer Finance Analyst for U.S. News; Todd Christensen: Education Manager at Money Fit by DRS; Jonathan: Blogger and Podcaster; Kayse Kress: Director of Financial Planning at Physician Wealth Services; Sha’Kreshia Terrell: Founder of Humble Hustle Finance;  American Consumer Credit Counseling; Molly Ford-Coates: Founder, Ford Financial Management; Athena Lent: Latina Personal Finance Expert; Roger Ma: Financial Planner at LifeLaidOut and author of Work Your Money; Sarah Brady: financial consultant, workshop facilitator, and writer; Daniella Flores: Creator and Author at iliketodabble.com; and Bev O’Shea: Staff Writer at NerdWallet.

Questions We Discussed:

• Q1: What are your thoughts on remote working?
• Q2: What are some pros/cons of working from home?
• Q3: What are the biggest challenges to working from home right now?
• Q4: Do you have any favorite apps that help you focus, relax, or keep connected with coworkers?
• Q5: How do you manage COVID-19 news consumption? What Twitter accounts do you follow?
• Q6: What advice do you have for parents trying to juggle work while homeschooling their kids?
• Q7: What are some ways to maintain a work/life balance (and avoid work burnout)
• Q8: What are some ways to stay connected with your colleagues and keep teamwork alive?
• Q9: What productivity and time management tips do you have?
• Q10: Any last-minute tips for those working at home for the first time?

After the pandemic, I want to: #CreditChat #RemoteWorking

— Experian #StaySafe (@Experian) April 15, 2020

Retweet these insights from our community:

A1: It’s important to keep to a schedule/routine to keep yourself motivated. It can be difficult for many people to not have to get up and get into work. #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/g2WZQMkJp6

— American Consumer Credit Counseling (@ACCC_TalkCents) April 15, 2020

A2: Pros/Cons of #WFH
✅No traffic/commuting/gas
✅More time with friends & family
✅Pajamas all day
✅Comfort of being at home
❌I miss my co-workers and my workstation
❌Hard to collaborate
❌Decline in creativity#CreditChat #RemoteWorking pic.twitter.com/frl01dKqxm

— Sarah Lai (@_SarahLai) April 15, 2020

A3. Many people’s home office setups weren’t designed for full-time working from home, so may be dealing w/slow internet, uncomfortable chairs, not enough space to accommodate multiple people working from home, & taking on more childcare duties. #CreditChat #RemoteWorking

— Roger Ma, CFP® (@lifelaidout) April 15, 2020

A4: There’s an app called Focus Booster that helps you focus better by timing your work – 25-minute increments of work with no distractions, and then a 5 minute break. You can also adjust the time increments yourself. #CreditChat #RemoteWorking pic.twitter.com/mFPYctCqJ8

— American Consumer Credit Counseling (@ACCC_TalkCents) April 15, 2020

A5: I’m writing about COVID-19 and how to financially survive this uncertain time every day. So, I have to stay up-to-date on the news and related legislation. Some fave accounts: @experian @usnewsmoney @usnewshealth #CreditChat #RemoteWorking https://t.co/9YBJfJY9et

— Beverly Harzog (@BeverlyHarzog) April 15, 2020

A6: Home schooling is about flexibility & doing what works for your family. Set up a flexible schedule that specifies time for work, school, play & family activities. Some days you might do some of the schedule, some days you might ditch the whole thing. #CreditChat

— Financial Beginnings USA (@finbeg) April 15, 2020

A7: Take a lunch break like you normally would at work – don’t go through emails or texts during lunch! It can be easy to just stay on your laptop all day at home, so be sure to take breaks to avoid burnout. #CreditChat #RemoteWorking pic.twitter.com/fqBesYhVoF

— American Consumer Credit Counseling (@ACCC_TalkCents) April 15, 2020

A8: Check in with your coworkers via email or text, not just about work, but ask how they’re doing. Also, be sure to respond in a timely manner, and try not to “ghost” your colleagues, especially if you’re working on something collaboratively. #CreditChat #RemoteWorking pic.twitter.com/j7LumfkUOL

— American Consumer Credit Counseling (@ACCC_TalkCents) April 15, 2020

A9. set a time limit to each task. make sure your routines are balanced and always have a back up plan just in case. take plenty of breaks to not get overwhelmed or burnt out easily
#CreditChat #RemoteWorking

— shadow62310 (@shadow62310) April 15, 2020

A10: Don’t beat yourself up while trying to adjust to all the new changes. It’s okay to not feel okay right now. Don’t feel guilty for what you’re feeling. Things are changing rapidly, and a lot of it is out of your control, so be kind to yourself. #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/5z2NtLmP5l

— Sarah Lai (@_SarahLai) April 15, 2020

Being productive from home requires a whole new skill set, and there’s a steep learning curve. You’ll probably have some bad days, but allow yourself to adjust accordingly. And don’t forget sleep, water, meal breaks, and down time! –@SCBrady https://t.co/3TjCqiYRv8 #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/AiGR3Wm0GA

— Experian #StaySafe (@Experian) April 16, 2020

“Try to remember that this is an inconvenience, but you are still healthy and alive. Your home should be your safe haven. This is your space. Remember the simpler times in your life.” –@AliciaRHudnett https://t.co/3TjCqiYRv8 #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/l62oJo4M4P

— Experian #StaySafe (@Experian) April 23, 2020

“Try to remember that this is an inconvenience, but you are still healthy and alive. Your home should be your safe haven. This is your space. Remember the simpler times in your life.” –@AliciaRHudnett https://t.co/3TjCqiYRv8 #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/l62oJo4M4P

— Experian #StaySafe (@Experian) April 23, 2020

“Don’t forget that working remotely full time takes practice, like anything new you try! I’m trying to give myself grace when things don’t go as smoothly as I’d like, and remember that each day is a new start.” – @magicalcarly https://t.co/3TjCqiYRv8 #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/c9GFWvJk9m

— Experian #StaySafe (@Experian) April 21, 2020