| Operating a home-based business can be one of the | | | | If you know Uncle Bob uses a computer often, why |
| best decisions you will ever make. When starting a | | | | pay $3.00 or more for a card and a stamp when you |
| home business it is important to budget your time | | | | can send him a birthday ecard for free? As they |
| and money wisely. While a home business can be | | | | always say... "It's the thought that counts". |
| quite profitable, the money will not start rolling in | | | | Instead of purchasing a print copy of your favorite |
| over night and you will want to keep your expenses | | | | newspaper or magazine, read it online. You'll find that |
| down until you start making sales. | | | | a lot of companies offer a condensed version on |
| Here are some ways to help you reduce your | | | | their website for free. |
| business expenses: | | | | Reduce junk faxes by switching to a fax modem or |
| Keep accurate records of your expenses and review | | | | online service. You can send and receive faxes on |
| them at least once a month. Seeing what you spend | | | | your computer and view them on your computer. |
| in black and white can give you a good idea of | | | | Delete the junk ones and for those worth saving, do |
| where you can cut back. | | | | it electronically. Remember if you have to print out a |
| Consider joining an alliance for small and home-based | | | | fax, skip the coversheet if at all possible. |
| businesses. You will be able to get discounts on | | | | Never buy scratch/doodle pads, instead, flip used |
| everything from office supplies to health insurance. | | | | paper, one sided junk mail and envelopes over and |
| In purchasing office machines, buy multi-purpose | | | | use them for notes. Cut it into 4"x 6" strips, staple or |
| equipment such as a printer/copier/fax in one. Make | | | | use rubber cement to bind them together and make |
| sure you take any discounts offered by suppliers | | | | scratch paper for your desk, use it to take phone |
| such as a small discount when you pay your invoice | | | | messages for family members or let your children |
| within 10 days, etc. | | | | draw pictures on it. |
| Remember that you may be entitled to certain tax | | | | Use paper from your shredder for packing items |
| deductions on your home and vehicle when you | | | | before mailing, eliminating the need to purchase |
| operate a home business. | | | | "packing peanuts". |
| Make sure you turn off non-essential office | | | | Buy in bulk! Anything that is nonperishable and you |
| equipment when not in use to save on electricity | | | | may need a lot of (paper, pencils, etc) you can |
| costs. You may want to consider free internet | | | | usually find in bulk. The initial cost is a little more but it |
| service, free web hosting, and any means of free | | | | will save you time and money in the end. |
| advertising that may be available to you. | | | | Reducing your expenses when operating a business |
| When you must print a document, print on both sides | | | | from your home is not only smart but often times |
| of the paper (called duplexing). This will cut paper | | | | necessary to turn a profit. By making small changes in |
| costs by 50% | | | | your business operations, you will see an increase in |
| Emailing well wishes and letters will save you money. | | | | your profits. |