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Cost-Saving Tips for Setting up a Home Office

Inexpensive Options for Creating a Professional Looking Work Environment

While it's critical that you have a functional office space prior to hanging the "Open" sign for your first day of business, it's not necessary to spend a small fortune to set up your work environment. And no…cheap in cost doesn't have to equate to cheap in appearance.

Some of the cost-saving tips that follow might seem like common sense. We list such ideas knowing that, in the excitement of becoming a home-based business owner, it's easy to be caught up in your desire to do everything top-notch…to be willing to cut corners on nothing. We're not suggesting that your office furnishings expense account take a significant budget cut; we're simply planting the seed that there's more ways than one to create a functional and fashionable home office…all at rock-bottom prices.

• Look under your own roof - More than likely you already have a number of items that could be of use in your office space. If your children prefer to do their homework at the kitchen table instead of the desk in their bedroom, don't hesitate to do a little furniture rearranging. Maybe your grandmother's old kitchen hutch can be brought out of the basement to see the light of day and be retrofitted as a paper supply storage unit and computer printer stand.
• Swap or barter with others - Has your sister always had an eye on the brass bed in your guest room…the room that you now need to clear out to make space for your office? Does she have a beautiful oak roll-top desk that sits idle in her living room? Sounds like a great swap to us! Do you have a friend who does woodworking as a hobby? How about bartering your new business services for some custom-made cabinets for your workspace?
• Hit the sales and used furniture stores - We're talking about auctions, flea markets, tag sales, and rummage sales. While you're at it, check out the local Salvation Army Store, Rescue Mission, Goodwill Store, etc. Great bargains can be yours with a little footwork and a lot of poking in corners.
• Hit the other, less common, sales - What are those you ask? They're the "going out of business sales" (a wonderful way to find cheap fixtures like shelving, lighting, and display racks), the confiscated/unclaimed recovered stolen items police auctions, and school surplus sales. You might be surprised at what these uncommon sales can yield for office fodder.
• Discount stores - Don't assume that a paper goods or office supply store will always have the best price. Do your homework and compare prices with discount department stores. At all of these stores, inquire about scratch-and-dent sales or reduced prices on display models. You can get significant markdowns if you can live with that scuffmark on the back corner of your filing cabinet.
• Look for "no payments/no interest for several years" sales - Many new furniture stores and carpet centers hold special sales that provide you with unique purchasing power. These sale terms are usually applied only to those individuals who spend over a pre-established amount. Read the fine print and look for any hidden costs.
• Check into your credit card discounts - Many credit card companies offer special discounts to their customers who use their card to do business with certain retailers. Most of these discounts are detailed online at the credit card company's website. It's worth a look for those special savings.
• Call in the favors - Now isn't the time to be bashful. If you have friends or family that work at retail stores and that are entitled to employee discounts, now might be the time to ask for that special favor. While there might be certain restrictions that apply, it can't hurt to ask.
• Check out Freecycle.org - If you haven't heard of this website, this could be the answer to ALL of your office supply needs. Hop online at www.freecycle.org and see what your local Freecycle group(s) has to offer. Free registration allows you to post free ads and locate free items. From leftover reams of paper to outdated but functional computer printers, what more could a home-based office-stocking individual like your self need?

You might be tempted to buy refurbished office equipment, but as always, buyers beware. Some things, like computers, are worth the full-price expense of a new item; especially those that have a significant warranty associated with them.

One other important factor to keep in mind when setting up your home office is the tax deductions associated with the use of such a space. If you plan correctly from the beginning, you'll potentially reap additional financial rewards... money that can be spent on upgrading your workspace as necessary or desired.

Have fun while furnishing your office. Be creative and turn that old sewing machine base and slab of marble into a one-of-a-kind table. A home office never looked so good or cost so little. It can all be yours for a fraction of the cost. Happy bargain hunting…

Good luck finding the perfect home business opportunity!

PS - We'd like to hear from you!
Got a suggestion for a story, article, or hot trend? Do you have questions about buying a home business, or about this website? Let us know. john@homebased411.com