[mysticmissle]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I don't see how the economy can maintain current levels with so many people working from home. When I went into the office every day, I drove about 60 miles a day when you include going out for lunch. My car gets 25 mpg around town, so I was burning about 12 gallons per week. I would often go to my employer's local manufacturing facilities to look at something, adding another 40 miles a week. So by working from home, I save about $8 - 10 per day on food, or about $200 per month. I also save at least $100 in gasoline. When you factor in that my wife and I no longer go to restaurants on the weekends, that's about another $150 per month. Actual savings are less because we have to buy food to cook at home. I would estimate working from home has reduced our living costs by $300 a month.

I used to go to lunch with three other guys. One is a bachelor, so he probably uses Grub Hub. But the other guys have families and are minimizing outside contacts. Even if you reduce their expenses, that amounts to about $1000 a month for four guys.

When you consider all of the lost restaurant revenue and reduced repair costs due to less wear and tear on our cars, that's a lot of money that isn't making its way into the economy. I don't think this is permanent because I'm dying for a nice steak and Cactus Blossom from Texas Steakhouse and Saloon;. I'm really looking forward to that steak when this dies down. But it's going to hurt a lot of small business owners who are shut down or are seeing their revenue drop sharply. Over time, that will lead to forclosures and reposessions. This could get ugly by early next year.

this is an excellent point there will be so many small business that never are able to reopen.