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