Starting your own business has additional perks other than reaping the rewards of your own hard work and setting your own hours. It can also help you save valuable time and money by shortening or getting rid of your daily commute.
New surveys show that people with their own businesses end up saving about three work weeks per year since they can choose where they work, which often significantly lowers the commute time. This also means the business owners have more time to invest in their business as well as their personal lives, including more time to spend with family and friends.
For one-third of small to medium enterprise (SME) owners, the commute is less than an hour a week, meaning many work from home. The survey indicates that an employee's weekly commute time is about seven hours and 55 minutes, whereas small business owners commute approximately five hours and 25 minutes a week. That's a total of 120 hours a week in commute time savings!
Less cars on the road at peak commuting hours have many benefits, including less congestion on the roads and the prevention of accidents on busy thoroughfares, which commonly happen on the commute home between 4-6 PM.
In fact, Work Wise UK even held a Commute Smart Week in late October to encourage commuters and their employers to consider alternatives such as coming to work a bit earlier or later to avoid traffic, telecommuting, carpooling, riding a bike or walking. They encourage this behaviour, which will not only save the commuter money but also promote green solutions to the traditional commute.
With all the benefits of shortening or getting rid your daily commute, starting a new business could save you the hassle and money... and give you the perfect reason to finally begin an independent financial future for yourself.