If you are trying to balance your budget you might notice that you are spending a lot on your business. It may seem as if your enterprise will suffer if you cut expenses but that isn’t necessarily true. There are cuts that you can make, and purchases you can avoid, and still run a first class operation.
Separate Phone Line- If most of your work is done via email, you may be able to ditch the second phone line. Though it’s true that you can deduct the expense on your taxes, if your funds are tight now, it may be better to just cut out this fat. If you need to make a phone call, then just use your cell phone or home line. There is no sense in spending $25-$40 for a phone line that is just sitting there.
More Than One Computer- A lot of web based workers have more than one computer. You may start to think that this is a must have but it’s really not. As long as you keep your computer free of harmful software and backup your files on a regular basis, you really don’t need a second computer.
But what about if you are in web design; how are you supposed to know how sites look if you only test with one system? There are websites like BrowserShots.org that let you see what websites look using different screen resolutions so if that is your only reason for wanting another system you can save your money.
If you can afford more than one computer, go for it, but don’t think that it’s a necessity.
Name Brand Ink- Buying ink cartridges can add up quickly. Save money by buying either refurbished or off brand cartridges. Don’t worry; neither your printer or paper will notice the difference.
New Business Cards- Some people have a habit of updating their business card every year. Sometimes nothing has changed; they just want a fresher look. Before you consider getting new business cards, look at your stash of current cards. When was the last time you handed out a business card? If you can’t remember when then you’d be best served to ditch the new cards and stick with what you have.
Electricity- No, you don’t have to work in the dark, but consider buying a surge protector for your home office and unplugging it each night. Your electricity bill will be much lower.
Expensive Software- Before you buy expensive new software consider looking for a free open source alternative. For example, try Open Office instead of Microsoft Office. Use Gimp instead of buying Photoshop. Try Quanta Plus instead of Dreamweaver. Many popular commercial software applications have an Open Source alternative.
