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