How Careful Equipment Purchasing Can Save Your Start-Up Money

A lot of people have a desire to spend, spend and spend some more. We’ve all been walking round the supermarket, carelessly throwing things in our trolley. Things we don’t need, either. It can be a hard feeling to control at times, but it’s important to as a start-up.

Your budget will be tight (if you even have a budget) and you’ll need to be a frugal spender. Judging what you do and don’t need is hard, and you may feel the impulse to just buy everything. Appliances, consumables and furniture can all cost you a heavy buck, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

There are a few tricks you can use to cut these costs, and help your start-up get off the ground. You don’t need to break the bank to create a successful company, after all.

Second hand or used – it still works!

There’s an odd stigma surrounding used goods, and it’s baffling. How many times have you shopped on eBay or Amazon Marketplace? These are all real sellers, and you can contact them if necessary. Nearly all their items are used, and they work perfectly. If they don’t, keep your receipts and claim your money back.

Similarly, used furniture stores are a great place to find desks and chairs. You can test the products before purchasing, to see if they’re suitable. Most of the time, you could save half price on the cost of a brand new purchase. These savings add up, and it’s more money for you to have to help run the business smoothly.

Renting and other temporary solutions

Just like how we all used to visit video stores before Netflix ended them, renting equipment is an easy way to get what you need. A lot of the time, you’ll buy something and then it will gather dust, fast. Think about whether you need it long-term, or just for a quick job.

Rent a printer online from a site like Paper Click to save money on impulse spending. The same goes for any office commodity. Do you really need that appliance long-term? Think about the needs of your office and workers and spend accordingly.

If you need a copier for a quick job, borrow one. It’s not considered ‘cheap’ or ‘lazy’. It’s just efficient. Other businesses are your friend too you know, so don’t be afraid of them! A lot of folks will be happy to help you out in a pinch.

Wait for the right time of year

Yearly sales occur at several key points during the calendar year. Waiting until January to purchase that fax machine can save you a ton of cash as opposed to buying in July. Again, you’re a start-up, so you need to cut some corners, right?! Be a smart shopper and your wallet will thank you.

Credit and monthly payments

A start-up won’t see profits from day one, and you might have to wait a while for the cash to flow. Buy your equipment on credit, with the confidence that your business will be booming a month from now. This has the twofold benefit of increasing employees’ confidence in you.

Business owners can also apply for a business credit card, tailored specifically for companies. These can also be issued to your workforce, so you can easily track company spending.
So, the start-up life can be a tricky one, but if you’re careful, you’ll be rewarded. Don’t overspend, and keep those finances in check. For more start-up help and information, check out our article on increasing start-up income.