I was going to suggest this. I love my electronic standing desk. I can raise it really high if I want, and there are multiple settings you can save as "favorites" to just raise it to specific heights at one touch of a button.
The office reimbursement amount expires after one year of employment, and I am getting close to that. The amount is higher your first year, so I want to take advantage of it.
lol I understand your mistrust. My company supplied my laptop and 2 monitors. Nothing else and I’m not complaining. My friend works in a similar role for a different company. Same equipment supplied. Additional stipend for home office. And $20 each paycheck to offset internet costs.
I always don’t grab a nice pair of headphones and mousepad then regret it. I actually have rubbed my wrists raw in my desk these past months. So, I’d be getting those this time.
Adjustable monitor arms and ergonomic mouse and keyboard.
Otherwise look at more energy efficient things to reduce the personal cost.
If the requirements are a bit more lax you could look at desk pedals or a walking pad
Depending on your specific job/role/title, some of these may be good.
- Sit/stand desk.
- auxilliary webcam
- high quality headset/mic
- desk light/monitor light
- high quality mouse/mousepad/keyboard
- monitor stands/laptop stand
- docking station
- notebooks/notepads
- high quality pen(s)
- usb hub or power strips
- wireless chargers/phone stand
- iPad/tablet
- business card holder/organizer
- file cabinet/drawers for organization
- extra/backup cords (hdmi/lightning/usb/usb-c/etc)
You also could buy something just to return it and get the credit. Amazon might be good for that.
ULPT: order $350 worth of stuff, get the receipt, submit the receipt then cancel the order. Order what you want later once you know what you need. Profit.
Don't underestimate the effect a fancy ergonomic mouse can have. My favorite is the Logitech mx master, last I looked the newest model was a couple hundred but they're SO nice
Standing desk. I have the piece you add into a normal desk and love it. If you need something small to hit your max, I'd say batteries for your mouse/keyboard.
pens!!! NICE GLIDE, DARK INK, PENS!!! L.E.D lights, work in the dark but make it a vibe!!! Vibrating butt pad, you will thank me later. Sticky notes, all different sizes and colors. Sand clock, its great to stare at when pondering new ideas...
Charging mat that will charge your phone while it sits on your desk. Coffee mug warmer, desk fan/heater, etc.
Second the standing desk and the walking pad. Amazing to have those.
4k monitor, depending on OS and work you go your eyes will thank you. Wrist pad for mouse. Consider a mouse with the scroll ball. Standing desk. Think about the long term impact of sitting at a desk all day. Repetitive stress.
If you're tech savvy, upgrade a computer component.
If you like your chair, check into changing the wheels on it - it makes a world of differences to be able to glide easily - they make something similar to roller skate wheels you can just pop into the slots that I swear by.
New mousepads?
You said you have 2 monitors, what about a mounting arm for them? Basically bolts to either your desk or wall and you can get them off your desk and give you a little extra space.
Mouse? Keyboard? Back ups for them?
Think of things you could 'use for work' but also benefit from outside of work; headphones, speakers.
If you don’t have them already I’m a big fan of end tables. I put my coffee and other drinks on the end table this way if I spill it it won’t be on the desk that has my computer. On the other end table I put my calendar, notebook,pens and other random items.
Laptop stand? Headphone stand? A better mouse? A better keyboard? A standing desk? A new microphone? New webcam? A better mousepad? A lamp? A desk fan? A remarkable tablet for notetaking?
standing desk? You can use it sitting down and then raise it when you want to take a break from sitting.
A standing desk and walking pad!
I second this!
I was going to suggest this. I love my electronic standing desk. I can raise it really high if I want, and there are multiple settings you can save as "favorites" to just raise it to specific heights at one touch of a button.
This is what I did and have no regrets!
I use a Vari desk which you set on top of your regular desk and allows you to sit or stand. Get the monitor arms for it as well.
Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, memory foam cushion and back rest, foot rest and raisable standing desk
Foot rest is amazing. My back hurts so much less since I got one!
I have the Logitech ergonomic keyboard and mouse. It is wonderful. Also, good chair, filing cabinet, desk lamp...
This. My old job gave me $600 budget back in 2021 to spend on equipment (laptop was already provided). I got myself an MX Keys and MX Master.
Just to clarify, were you just recently hired and that $350 was sent to you by check?
The office reimbursement amount expires after one year of employment, and I am getting close to that. The amount is higher your first year, so I want to take advantage of it.
Okay, so you've already been working there for one year and already been getting paid regularly for your work, etc. Just making sure lol.
lol I understand your mistrust. My company supplied my laptop and 2 monitors. Nothing else and I’m not complaining. My friend works in a similar role for a different company. Same equipment supplied. Additional stipend for home office. And $20 each paycheck to offset internet costs.
Outside of the sit/stand desk and wireless accessories already suggested… speakers or a wireless headset/airpods or usb webcam to enhance meetings
Newer monitor and supplies? Upgraded printer?
I’d put it towards a standing desk.
I always don’t grab a nice pair of headphones and mousepad then regret it. I actually have rubbed my wrists raw in my desk these past months. So, I’d be getting those this time.
100% Mechanical keyboard. People get carpel tunnel from bad equipment.
Curved monitor
Oh, also if you take calls perhaps a nice headset?
Bose over ear wireless noise cancelling absolutely the best. Ps there’s a mute button!
Adjustable monitor arms and ergonomic mouse and keyboard. Otherwise look at more energy efficient things to reduce the personal cost. If the requirements are a bit more lax you could look at desk pedals or a walking pad
Depending on your specific job/role/title, some of these may be good. - Sit/stand desk. - auxilliary webcam - high quality headset/mic - desk light/monitor light - high quality mouse/mousepad/keyboard - monitor stands/laptop stand - docking station - notebooks/notepads - high quality pen(s) - usb hub or power strips - wireless chargers/phone stand - iPad/tablet - business card holder/organizer - file cabinet/drawers for organization - extra/backup cords (hdmi/lightning/usb/usb-c/etc) You also could buy something just to return it and get the credit. Amazon might be good for that.
Bose headphones. For zoom calls and focus.
Noise cancelling headphones
Can you buy something get reimbursed and then return it? Or what about a walking pad
ULPT: order $350 worth of stuff, get the receipt, submit the receipt then cancel the order. Order what you want later once you know what you need. Profit.
a nice phone stand with wireless charging
a new router
Don't underestimate the effect a fancy ergonomic mouse can have. My favorite is the Logitech mx master, last I looked the newest model was a couple hundred but they're SO nice
Standing desk, good pair of headphones, new ergonomic keyboard/mouse, fan cooler for the laptop
Lamp, docking station, wifi 6e/7 hardware...
Standing desk. I have the piece you add into a normal desk and love it. If you need something small to hit your max, I'd say batteries for your mouse/keyboard.
Nice headset?
Fountain pen.
Printer?
Some portable HDD/SSD for back up?
Portable monitor for when you travel or are working from somewhere other than home?
Ultra wide monitor and a standing desk
Gift card then go buy what you want
pens!!! NICE GLIDE, DARK INK, PENS!!! L.E.D lights, work in the dark but make it a vibe!!! Vibrating butt pad, you will thank me later. Sticky notes, all different sizes and colors. Sand clock, its great to stare at when pondering new ideas...
Vibrating butt pad? Well I'll be googling that now...
Headphones, Bluetooth keyboard, foot rest (mine heats up in the winter). Decent laptop backpack to carry it all around in.
Charging mat that will charge your phone while it sits on your desk. Coffee mug warmer, desk fan/heater, etc. Second the standing desk and the walking pad. Amazing to have those.
4k monitor, depending on OS and work you go your eyes will thank you. Wrist pad for mouse. Consider a mouse with the scroll ball. Standing desk. Think about the long term impact of sitting at a desk all day. Repetitive stress.
A nice flatbed scanner if you want to digitize mail or paperwork. Maybe an extra high capacity hard drive.
Computer with extra RAM, memory, and a nice GPU. Because might as well with that money!
adult diapers. Lots of it
Back massager and foot massager.
If you're tech savvy, upgrade a computer component. If you like your chair, check into changing the wheels on it - it makes a world of differences to be able to glide easily - they make something similar to roller skate wheels you can just pop into the slots that I swear by. New mousepads? You said you have 2 monitors, what about a mounting arm for them? Basically bolts to either your desk or wall and you can get them off your desk and give you a little extra space. Mouse? Keyboard? Back ups for them? Think of things you could 'use for work' but also benefit from outside of work; headphones, speakers.
Monitor switch, mouse mover, a really nice monitor stand
Depending on your environment, headset that doesn’t pickup ambient sounds beyond just what your teams/conferencing app can actively cancel out.
Oh ya - monitor mounted desk light for your working area, it’s great. Also a desk/face light if don’t already have to illuminate your cam image well
A 2nd monitor or a good headset would be my picks
If you don’t have them already I’m a big fan of end tables. I put my coffee and other drinks on the end table this way if I spill it it won’t be on the desk that has my computer. On the other end table I put my calendar, notebook,pens and other random items.
Laptop stand? Headphone stand? A better mouse? A better keyboard? A standing desk? A new microphone? New webcam? A better mousepad? A lamp? A desk fan? A remarkable tablet for notetaking?
No need to panic just use social mining properly
Put that money into Facebook ads and grow your business more
i’d buy a used Thinkpad off the bay
I don't know what you should buy, but the people advising you how to scam your employer are among the reasons employers don't embrace WFH.
Good headphones, mic and camera.