For most people, a permanent WFH status is something to celebrate. After all, you get to skip the usual commute in favor of rolling out of bed to log on for the day.
Unfortunately, WFH life isn’t without its drawbacks. According to WalletHub, some states don’t set you up for success.
The Bottom 10 States for WFH Jobs
Last year, WalletHub released its list of the best and worst states for working from home. The states that earned top marks did so by providing a low-cost, comfortable, and connected place to live. The ten states below didn’t make the grade.
| Rank | State |
| 10 | West Virginia |
| 9 | New Mexico |
| 8 | Hawaii |
| 7 | Wyoming |
| 6 | Oklahoma |
| 5 | Arkansas |
| 4 | North Dakota |
| 3 | Montana |
| 2 | Mississippi |
| 1 | Alaska |
Why Do These States Score So Low?
While they all share the shame of being on the list, their reasons for being on it differ.
In Alaska, you could face greater connectivity issues than someone in a northeast state. On top of that, it has some of the highest electricity prices and worst cybersecurity protections in the country.
Mississippi, on the other hand, earns its spot as the second-worst place to work from home because it has the lowest number of households with Internet access and an unreliable power grid.
How to Handle Remote WFH Problems
These barriers could deliver a blow to both your workday and budget. Here’s what you can do to protect your tech and finances.
1. Create a Savings Fund for Tech
If your employer doesn’t give you a stipend for tech, maintenance, and repairs falls solely on your shoulders.
Squirreling away a little cash with every paycheck helps soften the cost of replacing a dead laptop or upgrading your Internet package. Over time, these little contributions will add up, so you’ll have enough to handle anything — even if a breakdown surprises you.
2. Have a Safety Net
You can’t always predict when your battery will die, or when you’ll accidentally knock a full cup of coffee on your keyboard.
In an unexpected situation, an installment loan can act as a backup. You can borrow money online in Mississippi using your phone when your laptop is broken. If approved, an MI installment loan is a convenient and simple option in an emergency.
3. Invest in an Energy Backup
Power outages aren’t uncommon in Mississippi due to its shoddy infrastructure, so you need to be prepared when the power goes out.
Research what kind of backup generator you need for the size of your home. You might also want to think about redundancy for your Internet. Having a backup service gives you peace of mind in case your provider experiences service interruptions.
4. Solve Spotty Internet
If you have trouble finding a consistent signal, it may be time to upgrade your Internet package. Investing in better equipment may also help boost your signal, especially if you get a top-of-the-line router or Wi-Fi extender. Alternatively, plugging in with an old-fashioned Ethernet cord may improve your connection compared to Wi-Fi.
WFH from Anywhere with Confidence
Working from home on a permanent basis is a privilege but also a responsibility. You need to protect your tech to ensure remote work makes sense for your budget.
