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If you are starting up your own business, it is likely that you will have a lot of upfront costs to contend with. Everything from your new offices to your website costs money and as a startup, your finances will be incredibly tight until you can get regular client business.
Though there are some costs that simply can’t be avoided, there are a few areas that you can curb those costs without sacrificing your brand or aesthetic. Making significant savings now will give you more room to develop in the future so here are 3 ways you can save without anyone noticing the difference.
Think Carefully About Stationery
The stationery cupboard is at the heart of every office, but there is no need to fill it up to the rafters with things you don’t need or expensive items. Rather than buying just one type of paper, consider buying cheaper scrap paper for your staff to use and thicker, more expensive paper for any documents intended for clients. Similarly, buy just one or two types of envelopes rather than every type on offer.
There are some areas where you might like to use personalization to reinforce your brand such as pens and notebooks. You might also like to use different types of checks and printed business envelopes. Have a look at https://www.checkomatic.com/ for some great deals.
Buy Second Hand
This might sound like a mad idea but it is actually a really effective way to lower costs, especially in the short term. If you can find a liquidation sale near you, you might even be able to get all matching furniture so that no one will ever know that it is second hand. However, you should shop carefully at this kind of event as it can be a risky way to buy furniture.
You don’t even have to stop at second hand office furniture. Buying full price brand new equipment is one of the largest costs to small start ups when you could find second hand equipment for much less. It may well serve as a temporary solution, but buying items that have been returned to the store for superficial defects can massively reduce costs.
Make Friends and Deals
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know and this is exactly how the business world works. You might only be thinking about the bottom line and how you can spend less and earn more, but you should be thinking about who you can make friends with. Money isn’t the only way a deal can be made between businesses and if you can find ways to barter what you have to access what someone else has, you can save a lot.
Getting started as a new business is tough because so much is resting on so little. Being smart with your spending and figuring out different ways to achieve your goals is a great lesson to learn early on. This is how your business will grow over the years.