Frugal Office Supplies
by Kim Tilley
http://frugal-moms.com

Setting up an office, particularly a home office, can be really expensive, IF you buy everything new and at full price! If you're willing to be creative, and if you have a little time, you can save a LOT of money. Here are some ideas to get your started:

-Back to School Sales are the best time of the year to stock up on office supplies. We stock up for the entire year. We've found notebooks as cheap as 10 cents each, looseleaf paper at 25 cents a pack, not to mention pens, post it notes and all of that other good stuff. This year, I noticed that computer supplies were also on sale for really good prices. As more and more students take computers with them to college, look for these sales to be even more popular.

-Check for sales, rebates, and closeouts . The office stores have become extremely competitive, which is good for us. I've seen some incredible deals from Office Max and Staples- particularly on computer parts, desks, and all kinds of papers and notebooks. If you bought only the full-purchase price refund deals every month and immediately send in that refund (it's easy to forget!), you could stock your office all year long for next to nothing

-Look for freebies - Businesses are constantly giving out free notepads and pens with their names on them. Doctor's offices can't give away their freebies fast enough- the drug representatives are constantly bombarding them with office supplies with their product names all over them. Trade shows and expos are also great places to get freebies, but don't hoard. Our tv station recently put on a Technology Expo, and I could not believe the stuff they were giving out. Many of the vendors are happy to give these away as long as you aren't taking more than one or two items. I came home with notepads, pens, highlighters, stress balls, cd holders, a clipboard, and a lifetime supply of refrigerator magnets. My kids were delighted, since I also came home with frisbees, balsa airplanes, and squishy computer stress thingies.

-Save the UPC's from name brand items you use-such as printer ink cartridges. I save mine because I know that Hewlett Packard is constantly offering very nice idea kits and packages for just 1 UPC and $2 shipping and handling. These kits include free sample printer papers, free computer software, and some great booklets full of printer ideas, such as gifts, crafts, etc. I was really impressed with what they sent.

-Recycle it -It's a no-brainer, but use both sides of the paper, if you can. Or, give it to your kids and let them have fun. Finding ways to reuse what you've already bought is just good sense, as long as it doesn't hurt business.

-Get Creative - Do you really need that thingamabob? Is there a cheaper, but still effective alternative? I thought I just "had" to have printable business card paper, until I realized that I could print business cards on heavy printer paper and cut them apart. The heavy printer paper is much cheaper than card stock or business card paper, but feels about the same. I use it to print birthday cards as well as business items. My kids like it too- maybe a little TOO much. They are always stealing it to make books!

See also:
Frugal Office Furniture
Frugal Office Recycling Ideas 

About the Author

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