Six Ways to Save Money on Office Supplies

Do you have a small business? If so, you know that every dollar counts when it comes to keeping your business running smoothly. That’s why office supplies are especially important to keep costs down, as they can be an unexpected drain on your company’s financial resources. Whether you want to save money on pens or paper, these six ways to save money on office supplies will help you stretch your dollars without sacrificing the quality of your office environment.

Save Money with Low-Cost Marketing Tools

If you're running a small business, it can be tough to raise awareness and get your name out there. That's why low-cost marketing tools are so valuable--they don't require a big investment, but they still reach large audiences. For example, inexpensive flyers have been proven time and again to be effective at getting new customers in-store; even if people only stop in for flyers or coupons, it's still one more opportunity for you to sell your goods. What other ways could you save money with low-cost marketing?

Save Money by Ordering in Bulk

Ordering in bulk is a tried-and-true money-saving method small businesses can apply. Often, office supply companies offer discounts if you buy more than a certain number of items at once. That’s why it pays to look for warehouse club memberships or other bulk ordering deals available for small businesses. Even with shipping costs, buying in bulk might save you money overall and help lower your overall business costs. You might even be able to create an entire marketing campaign around your order, touting your bulk deal as a way for customers and prospects to get everything they need all at once while saving themselves time and money.

Buy What You Really Need

Buying in bulk can save you big bucks, but if your small business doesn’t really need a huge supply of, say, paperclips, that’s money down the drain. Instead of buying in bulk when it makes sense and is cost-effective (and actually using up that extra office supplies stock), be honest with yourself about whether or not you really need something before buying it. Buying extra paperclips is nice—until you don’t use them and they start rusting behind your desk two years later. The key is to buy what you really need while also keeping an eye out for sales and other special offers so that you can still save a few bucks along the way.

Use Coupons When Possible

A common problem for small businesses is that they don’t have a big enough customer base or business volume to make it worth using coupon codes. However, some coupons may allow you to purchase items at a discount without actually requiring you to use a coupon code. Take advantage of these and other types of coupons when you can, as they are another way of saving money on office supplies. When possible, also take advantage of local office supply deals through your chamber of commerce and other organizations in your area.

Check Out Companies That Give Away Free Stuff

If you can manage it, try shopping during off-peak hours. Most people don’t think of shopping as an activity that can save you money, but there are many ways in which it can help you do just that. For instance, if your budget is tight and you’re looking for affordable office supplies, shop when most other people aren’t. It might be tempting to buy paper or a new computer right after work on a Friday night when everyone else is buying their supplies, but most people never think about shopping then because they want some time off from work. So all those stock items are cheaper for everyone else who shops at that time!

Shop During Off-Peak Hours

If you’re an office supply shopper, it can help to plan your trips during non-peak hours. According to Forbes, stores have more leverage when they’re busy and have time constraints. So don’t go shopping at noon or during your lunch hour if you can avoid it; find out what times of day will get you better deals and then make sure you work around those times. If a store isn’t able to negotiate with you for any other reason, off-peak visits allow them not to negotiate with customers at all—because there aren’t many other customers competing for their attention.