| When you are just starting your home-based | | | | letterhead on your page when you need to. |
| business, you may feel like you need to | | | | When your business is adequately successful, |
| invest a lot in office equipment and | | | | treat yourself to custom print work. |
| supplies. And while quality is important, | | | | |
| it's wise to start off paying as little as | | | | 5. Don't be afraid of second-hand goods. Look |
| possible for these essential office supplies. | | | | for office furniture and supplies at thrift |
| After all, the more you can reduce your | | | | shops, flea markets, garage sales and online |
| initial operating expenses, the more quickly | | | | auctions. You can often find quality items |
| you'll show a profit. Then you can invest | | | | here, if you look hard enough. And don't just |
| more of that profit back into your business. | | | | think of the money you are saving; think of |
| | | | the environmental impact of your decision to |
| You really can save a lot by knowing where to | | | | reduce and reuse as many items as possible. |
| look for office equipment, furniture and | | | | Not only will this habit save you a lot of |
| supplies. Here are six tips for obtaining | | | | money as your business grows, but you'll also |
| office supplies on the cheap. | | | | be operating a business that is more |
| | | | environmentally responsible. |
| 1. Take an inventory of items you already | | | | |
| have. As much as possible, you'll want to | | | | 6. Stock up and save by buying office |
| reduce the amount of equipment you need at | | | | supplies online - and always use a coupon. |
| the onset of your business. If you already | | | | The major office supply stores often offer |
| have a home computer and printer, use these | | | | deep discounts in their online stores, and |
| existing items in your business until your | | | | you can generally find coupon codes that can |
| cash flow allows for you to upgrade. By then, | | | | save you a significant amount on a large |
| you'll have a better idea of what kind of | | | | order ($30 off $150, for example.) Many |
| equipment you'll need anyway. You can also | | | | times, technology items are excluded from |
| use the home stapler, calculator, hole punch, | | | | such online coupons, but you can easily find |
| paper, and pens. Buy new items only when you | | | | coupons valid on office furniture, as well as |
| need to. | | | | expensive but necessary items, such as |
| | | | printer cartridges. Many of these large |
| 2. Ask your friends and family for any | | | | online office supply stores also offer free |
| equipment they may not be using anymore that | | | | delivery on orders of $50 or more. |
| you could purchase. Maybe a friend's office | | | | |
| is planning to liquidate the previous year's | | | | You can find great deals on computers online, |
| computers, for example, and you can get a | | | | too. Just shop around, invest in the features |
| great system for a very low price. Keep your | | | | you need (so you don't have to purchase |
| eyes and ears open, and ask your friends and | | | | another computer next year), and look for a |
| family to do so, too. | | | | coupon code before you buy. |
| | | | |
| 3. Trade services. If you are starting a web | | | | Many home based business owners will attest |
| design business, for example, see if your | | | | to the fact that start-up capital should be |
| local print shop would be interested in | | | | spent wisely. Once your profits start to come |
| trading internet design or marketing help for | | | | in, you can upgrade your equipment and |
| some quality flyers, business cards or | | | | splurge on more expensive items. |
| letterhead. | | | | |
| | | | Jamie Jefferson writes for and where you find |
| 4. Instead of purchasing specially printed | | | | the latest computer coupons and Staples |
| envelopes and letterhead, purchase quality | | | | Coupons. |
| linen bond paper and envelopes and print | | | | |