| With a home based business, you need to be as | | | | at a fraction of what it would cost you on your |
| cost-conscious as possible. Because any money | | | | own. Many times you can also get large discounts |
| you can save on your home based business | | | | for using suppliers that these organizations have |
| expenses is a profit and is money you can use to | | | | contracts with. Being a member of professional |
| grow your business, purchase new equipment or | | | | organizations and groups is also a great way to |
| put toward any other business needs you may | | | | network and get new clients. Also, going to the |
| have. So here are some money saving tips that | | | | meetings is a wonderful way to offset the |
| can have a big impact on the bottom line of your | | | | isolation that many home based business owners |
| home based business. | | | | feel and to pick up some new ideas for your |
| One of the first ways you can save on your | | | | business as well. |
| home based business expenses is to buy used | | | | Whenever possible, buy home based business |
| furniture and equipment. Some great places to | | | | supplies wholesale. Also, join discount and |
| look for used office furniture and equipment is in | | | | warehouse clubs. This is another good way to get |
| the classified section of your local newspaper, | | | | office supplies for your home based business at |
| consignment furniture stores, flea markets, online | | | | huge savings. Also, check into any possible |
| auctions and bankruptcy sales. Other good places | | | | commercial discounts that may be available that |
| to check into for home based business furniture | | | | you don’t know about. Never pay retail |
| and equipment are new furniture stores because | | | | unless you absolutely have to. And don’t |
| they often take trade-ins or have repossessed | | | | limit yourself to offline suppliers. Many online |
| furniture that they’re willing to sell at | | | | companies offer tremendous savings and are |
| greatly reduced prices. Of course you would | | | | definitely worth checking into. |
| never want to sacrifice the quality and safety of | | | | Finally, do some comparison shopping on |
| your home based business equipment, so be sure, | | | | everything you use for your home based |
| especially if buying online, that the dealers are | | | | business. You may think you don’t have |
| reputable ones. | | | | time, but the amount of money you can save is |
| Another way you can reduce your home based | | | | well worth the time it takes. Compare cell phone |
| business expenses is to team up with other small | | | | plans, insurance companies, shipping services and |
| businesses and home based businesses to | | | | Internet providers. When you find a good deal, |
| increase your purchasing power. Many companies | | | | jump on it—but don’t settle for it. Just |
| give terrific discounts on items bought in bulk. This | | | | because a certain insurance company gives you |
| is especially true for items like paper where in | | | | the best rate today doesn’t mean it will still |
| exchange for large orders you not only get a | | | | be the best in six months or a year. Remember |
| discount, but also often get the shipping for free. | | | | your home based business isn’t the only |
| There are many types of home business supplies | | | | business that has to compete to get customers, |
| that you can get big savings on when buying this | | | | and all types of companies are changing their |
| way. When making bulk purchasing arrangements | | | | plans and reducing their charges constantly. So |
| with other small businesses and home based | | | | make it a habit to compare rates every six to |
| businesses, spell out the terms of who’ll be | | | | twelve months, and switch anytime you can get |
| placing the order, how delivery will be made and | | | | a significant reduction because every penny you |
| any other details—and put them in writing. | | | | save is a penny you can count as profit. |
| It’s also a good idea to join professional | | | | Charles Fuchs |
| associations connected to your home based | | | | I grant permission to publish this article, |
| business. Many on these offer a wide variety of | | | | electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are |
| benefits to their members. Often you can get | | | | included, with a live link, and the article is not |
| group insurance through a professional association | | | | changed in any way. |