As you build your business, it can be tempting to let tidiness and organization go out the window.  The truth is being messy & disorganized can cost you money!

Good organization is the keystone to making and saving money and if you want to do either, you’ll find that you can easily make some progress by organizing your business and your life.

Schedule Your Bills

The first expenses you have to worry about each month are your bills like the office rent or mortgage and utilities.

• Use a calendar, planner, computer program, or online banking account to schedule when your bills need to be paid. Delays can cost you substantial late fees and finance charges.

• If you set up electronic banking, make sure you understand exactly how the system works. Some programs will not allow you to make a payment on weekends or holidays while others may need a few days to process the payment.

• Pay your taxes on time or early.  Penalties as well as late charges are added if you don’t file the proper extensions. Hire a bookkeeper or an accountant to help with your preparation, especially if you work independently. Remember, you may be required to pay quarterly estimated taxes as well as year-end taxes and can be fined if you don’t file those as well.

• If you work independently, you may also want to consider paying your income taxes quarterly too so you don’t have to worry about them at the end of the year.

Organize Your Paperwork

All of your paperwork should be organized so you know exactly where your receipts, financial statements, and bills are filed.  There’s nothing worse than going in search of a needle in a haystack when a question arises.

• Minimize paper in your work area. Everyday take a look at your desk and think about what pieces of paper you can immediately get rid of.  A wastebasket by your desk is essential, as is a shredder to prevent identity theft.

• Utilize file folders or a portable file container instead of having piles of papers on your desk or countertops. This will prevent you from losing important pieces of paperwork under a landslide of unimportant junk.

Consult with a Financial Advisor

Whether you have a substantial investment portfolio or just want to get started, consult with an expert who can help you reach your financial goals. By organizing your finances, you’ll not only save money, but make it too!

• If your current investments aren’t performing well, an advisor can help you move the money around to better performing funds that earn a higher yield or give you greater dividends.

• If you don’t have any investments, an expert can listen to your financial goals and recommend an investment plan for achieving those goals. Even starting off modestly will often bring you some annual dividends. Every little bit helps!

Consolidate Your Debts

Get in control of your money by consolidating large debts with one loan. Research which banks or credit cards will give you the lowest interest rates and consolidate your payments into one. This will save you money by paying fewer interest fees, but you must also limit your spending until the debts are paid off.

• Ask a mortgage broker about refinancing your home or taking out a home equity loan to consolidate debts.

Be in control of your money and your life by evaluating your accounts regularly and staying organized. A little bit of work each day and regularly monitoring your progress will help you reach your financial goals.

Finding ways to cut back on your spending can help you during a difficult economic period. Saving money is always good, but it’s a skill that becomes especially important during a recession.

“How is it even possible to save money during a downturn?” you might ask. It’s all about planning, cutting out the really frivolous costs, and changing the way you think about spending money. You can use these tips both at home with your family or in your business.

Here are some handy tips you can use to help you save money:

1. Pay important bills first. Decide what is most important to you and your family, or your business and your partners and agree to pay those bills first.
2. Save money on meals. Groceries and business meals are a huge, yet necessary, expense.

• Buy generic rather than name brands. They usually taste just as good but cost less.
• Order a tall cup of tea instead of a vente latte. In addition to being more wallet friendly, this could be more waist-friendly too!
• Buy non-perishable foods in bulk. Many items can be bought in bulk such as rice, canned foods, and frozen foods.
• Schedule business meetings in between meals and at coffee shops instead of restaurants. Brownbag your lunch and eat with your co-workers or employees instead and build up your relationship with them.
• Never shop on an empty stomach. Eat before grocery shopping; otherwise, you’ll wind up buying more junk and convenience foods because you’re hungry.
• Keep snacks in your office. If you absolutely have to run out in the afternoon if you get hungry between meals, you will have little choice but to spend the money. Keep snacks with you at work just in case.
• Make a list of what you need at the grocery store and stick to it. It really is that simple

1. Rent movies instead of going out. Have a movie night once a week. Sit down with some popcorn and watch a movie. This is a great way to spend quality family time, without much expense.
2. Only buy things that you have the money for right now. As much as you can, pay cash or debit instead of using a credit card.
3. Cook at home. If you go out to eat two or three times a week, cut back to once every two weeks or once a month. Instead, learn to cook at home. If you plan ahead and cook in quantities, you’ll save time and money by popping the extra portions into the freezer.
4. Unplug. If there are things in your house plugged into the wall and you aren’t using them, unplug them. Many items, like computers and phone chargers, draw electricity whether they’re on or not. Plug it in when you need it, then unplug it when you’re done.
5. Check your thermostat. Setting your thermostat just a few degrees higher or lower than normal can help save a chunk of money on your energy bill. If you take the weekend off, turn the thermostat off at the office.

These are just some of the many ways to save money and stretch your dollar a bit.

Picking the right accountant for your small business is similar to choosing the right doctor for your health care.  You want someone who is skilled and qualified and with whom you feel comfortable.

When you choose a CPA, you are putting your financial security in the hands of a person who is supposed to be certified and up to date on every rule and regulation that applies to you and your business.

So, how can you choose the right accountant for your business needs?  Let’s take a look at a few items to get you started:

Interview Yourself

You need to find out who you are and what you want. Put yourself in your prospective accountant’s office chair. What will you expect from your accountant? What kind of things will be deal makers and deal breakers? It is a good idea to know who you are and what your expectations are before you begin the next step.

Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations

Friends and family are often a good resource, so why not ask them? Find out if their tax professional is taking any new clients or if they have time to give you advice. Be honest with them.  If Uncle Al says his accountant is still using paper spread sheets, tell Uncle Al you need someone with a computer.  Then move on to the next opinion.  Get at least three good recommendations of accountants to interview.

Don’t just ask friends and family for a recommendation, ask them why with a few specific questions like:

• Why do you like using this accountant?  Be specific.
• What kind of business advice and tax advice have they offered you recently?
• Was their advice helpful in saving money?

Interview the Accountants

Twenty or thirty years ago, accountants were often considered bookkeepers. Today, they are much more involved with business rules and regulations and many have specified training in small business and taxes to help set them apart from other CPA’s. The trick is to figure out exactly what you should look for in an accountant.

What kind of questions should you ask your CPA to keep yourself out of trouble come tax season?

• What kind of creative business advice will you offer me? – Sure they can crunch numbers but can they offer creative ways for you to save money now?
• Is your business tech-savvy? – Staying on the forefront of technology, as a business, is a great indicator of keeping up with the times. As technology is able to produce info faster, your accountant should be the first to know.
• Who are your other clients? – This indicates whether or not your accountant has dealt with businesses like yours and how busy they will be during tax time.
• Are you active in the local business community? – Can your accountant introduce you to people who can help make business changes they suggest?

Make Your Decision

After you have done some soul searching, asked people you trust for recommendations, and interviewed at least three accountants or accounting firms with the questions you needed to ask, it is time to pick your accountant.

Sit down and go over the qualifications of each accountant or team of accountants.  Weigh all the pros and cons and come to a decision on who would be the best accountant to hire.

Don’t forget to write each one you rejected a simple thank you note with one or two reasons why you did no choose their firm. This will show them that, although you appreciated their time, your decision was based on specific facts.  Don’t burn bridges – you never know when you could be back in their office.  Most professionals appreciate honesty, so don’t be afraid to tell an accountant why you didn’t choose their firm.

Now that your accountant has been hired, it’s time to get to know each other.  With the difficult part over, take a few minutes to visit your accountant and find out what he or she will expect over the year, leading up to tax time.  Maintain a close relationship with your accountant and you, and your small business, will benefit nicely for years to come.

In order to have a successful tax season, there must be year round planning to maximize your deductions in direct relation to the size and income of your small business. This means keeping the upcoming tax season in mind at all times, constantly looking for ways to decrease your bottom line while making the company more profitable.

Start-Up Expenses

The most commonly overlooked expense for small businesses to take advantage of during tax season is the one that got them where they are today – the expense of going into business. Capital expenses, the money used to pay for marketing, overhead and other related expenses, must be deducted over the first five years you are in business. One thing to remember is that these write-offs cannot be deducted before your doors are open and cash is beginning to flow through your business.

Continuing Education And Training

Any education related to your current business, can also be deducted. For instance, a veterinarian specializing in equine medicine can deduct the costs of attending a conference on new cancer treatments in horses. Because this course is related to the veterinarian’s field, the seminar is deductible from yearly taxes.  However, if the veterinarian specialized in small and domestic animals, the conference would not be deductible. There are strict rules to follow about which types of classes actually qualify for deductions.

Professional Service Fees

The fees charged by your accountant to do your taxes, are actually tax deductible. The only rule for this deduction is that if the work being done relates to future years, the deduction must be taken over the complete term of the benefit.  An example of this would be hiring an architect to help design a building that will take two years to construct. The fees for the architect must be spread over the two years in which the building is actually being constructed.

Bad Debts

If you are in the business of selling goods, and a customer doesn’t pay you for the goods you sold them, that debt is deductible.  However, businesses that provide services instead of goods cannot take this type of deduction because it would be difficult for the IRS to prove a bill was not “inflated” for services provided in order to claim larger deductions for the bad debts.

Other Deductible Expenses

There may be other expenses that are tax deductible in your business.  You can start by referring to the IRC § 162, which outlines different trade and business expenses. This section of the Internal Revenue Code is the basis for determining whether or not a taxable expense is deductible. If the wording is confusing, take the code to your tax accountant along with the expenses you are questioning. Your tax accountant will be able to point you in the right direction and clear up any confusion.

Don’t guess about your small business deductions.  Ask your tax accountant to be sure you’re handling every deductible properly on your small business tax return.

Anyone who’s worked in an office at some point or another has had to “go to accounting.” They’re the people who manage the company’s income and pay the company’s bills that keep the business running. They do a lot more than that, though. Sometimes referred to as “bean counters,” they also keep their eye on profits, costs and losses. Unless you’re running your own business and acting as your own accountant, you’d have no way of knowing just how profitable – or not – your business is without some form of accounting.

No matter what business you’re in, even if all you do is balance a checkbook, that’s still accounting. It’s part of even a kid’s life. Saving an allowance, spending it all at once – these are accounting principles.

It would be hard to find any business where accounting is not a critical centerpiece. For example, even farmers need to follow careful accounting procedures. Many of them run their farms year to year by taking loans to plant the crops. If it’s a good year, a profitable one, then they can pay off their loan; if not, they might have to carry the loan over, and accrue more interest charges.

Every business and every individual needs to have some kind of accounting system in their lives. Otherwise, the finances can get away from them; they don’t know what they’ve spent, or whether they can expect to make or lose money in their business. Staying on top of accounting, whether it’s for a multi-billion dollar corporation or for your own personal checking account, is a necessary activity on a daily basis. Not doing so can mean anything from a bounced check to posting a loss to a company’s shareholders. Both scenarios can be devastating in their own right.

Accounting is basically the keeping of financial information. In a business, this information is published periodically as a profit and loss statement (P&L) and a balance sheet.

Preparing to sell a business may not be as straightforward as it seems. Selling a business requires a balance between enticing buyers for the business and, at the same time, keeping the current customers happy. If the customers are unhappy then the business value drops and the sale may not go as planned. If a person goes into selling a business without planning or the knowledge of how to do so, they may end up losing money.

The following list explains the first steps a person should take to prepare to sell while also keeping customers happy.

Get a quote on the value of the business. This is extremely important. If a business owner asks too much, they may have a hard time selling, but if they do not ask enough they are losing out on valuable revenue. A professional can help with this because they usually know how certain time and economic factors can contribute to the value of a business. But you should also do your own research. You are the best source to know your own niche market. This appraisal should be done before selling to get the actual value.

Determine if the sale will be public or private. If there is a chance that customers will be lost once they find out the business is sold, then it is wise to do a private sell. This way the new owner will have a chance to gain their business. Also, will the employees stay or will they leave for fear of the upheaval of new ownership? Most buyers would like to see that a business could withstand any changes that can come about with a sale. These factors should be considered when determining if a sale should be public or private.

Set up a marketing campaign. Just as a business owner needs to advertise their products, they need to advertise the sale. The marketing efforts will be largely based on the type of sale, either public or private. In the case of the private sale, an example of this may just put the business name out in the public by advertising donations to charities. Just remember, the appearance of the business can help determine the value. This goes for physical appearance as well as just appearing financially secure and stable.

Prepare all information to show buyers. Potential buyers will likely be interested in seeing all the details of the business. They will want to know why the business is being sold and will need to see financial statements and tax returns in order to make an informed purchase. A business is perceived as much riskier with no solid financial history and that can decrease the sale value.

Preparing by doing these four steps can make selling a business easier. The key is they can be done up to years before the actual sale. But, they are also just the tip of the iceberg. They do not cover every aspect, like legal and financial considerations, so a business owner should contact their lawyer, accountant, and other professional assistance to ensure everything is done correctly.

Imagine yourself enjoying the warm autumn sunlight while listening to Paul Simon’s song, “50 Ways to Leave your Lover”.

Now, stretch your imagination just a bit and think about how many “Ways” you can come up with for saving and/or making more money in business…

“The problem is all inside your head
She said to me
The answer is easy
If you take it logically”

So, let’s look at the problem logically for a minute. Here are four basic ways you can increase your profits:

1. You can charge more for your products or services.
2. You can sell more of your products or services to your existing clients.
3. You can find additional clients.
4. You can find ways to cut back on your business expenses.

“Slip Out the Back, Jack” (Simple ways to save money):

So, if you’re on a shoestring budget (and who isn’t these days?), then obviously you need to do everything you can to save as much money as possible, and make as much money as possible, as quickly and easily as possible. Here are 10 simple ideas you can use:

1. Know your target market. Who are your “ideal” customers?
Where do they shop? What do they read? What solutions are they looking for that your business provides? The more you know about your customers, the better you’ll be able to target your promotions towards them, which will increase your bottom line two ways – it will save you spending money on advertising that doesn’t work, and it will increase your sales, because you’re offering your customers what they really want.

2. Get double duty out of any contact with your customers. If you sell products, put your contact information on everything –products, bags, invoices sales receipts. Make it easy for everyone to find you. Give away something free. If you have a Website (and if you don’t, then get one), give your customers something for giving you their contact information. Free Ebooks, reports, or software are all good choices (just make sure it’s relevant to your customers). Anytime you send your customers anything – a product, a newsletter, an invoice –include a coupon or information about your latest products or services. To save money on postage, if you have a brick and mortar store, put a copy of your latest newsletter or an informational flyer in your customer’s bag after each sale.

3. Reward your customers. Set up a reward program. Offer them a reward for anyone they refer who becomes a customer. Or give your customers a free gift when they spend $50 (or whatever amount makes sense in your business). When they’re eligible for the free gift, offer them an upgrade to something bigger or better for a few dollars more. Start a customer loyalty program. Provide “customer only” sales, or promotions. Let your customers earn points, or “magic money” that they can use to redeem your products or services.

4. Get ready for your close-up. When you’re brainstorming about creating a promotion or advertising campaign, don’t forget about your local cable TV channel. You may be pleasantly surprised by how low their rates actually are. Create your own television commercial or infomercial. Although you may not be ready for prime time, you can still target your ad to reach your customers.

5. Get involved in your community. Find a nonprofit organization that is doing work you believe in, and either publicly support their program, or be one of their sponsors for an upcoming event or fundraiser. Use the advertising spot to let people know about the fundraiser (and, incidentally, your business). You could put together an inexpensive ad campaign that will help those in need, increase your visibility and let your potential customers know that you’re supportive and aware of the needs of the community.

“Make a new plan, Stan” (Business Planning Basics):

6. Beef up your business plan. If you don’t have a business plan, make writing one a priority. Your business plan is more than just a way to interest investors. It’s a road map that will help you get from where you are now to where you want to be. That old saying, “If you fail to plan then you’re planning to fail” really is true when it comes to business.

“No need to be coy, Roy” (Ask your customers):

7. Get testimonials from your satisfied clients. But don’t stop there. What about creating your own television commercial that you can run in your store? (With a video camera and a little ingenuity, you could even create your own infomercial that shows customers how to use or get the most out of your products or services. If you’ve got a Website, put an audio testimonial on there. (And don’t forget to include pictures).

8. Speak up. Again, keeping in mind who your ultimate ideal customers are and what their most pressing problems are, write an article, offer a free seminar, or offer to be a speaker at local chamber of commerce or other organization or community meetings. Being perceived as an “expert” is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to get the word out about your business, and bring in more customers.

“Just hop on the bus, Gus” (Expand your business potential)

9. Create joint ventures. Even if your primary business is a brick and mortar one, you can still create a joint venture that will help you save money by sharing the costs for advertising. What about creating a special “sidewalk sale” with other business owners on your street or in your neighborhood? Or finding businesses with complementary products or services to yours, and creating a “package deal”? If your business is only online, look for ways you can partner with other businesses – maybe you could create solo ads and promote each other’s products or services in your mailing lists. There are a lot of ways you can save money and increase your client base if you’re willing to get creative.

“Just drop off the key, Lee” (Provide the key solutions)

10. Let your customers know you know what their problems are. It’s sad but true that your customers don’t care how good your products or services are. They only want to know two things: do you understand what their problems are; and can you solve them. Give your customers the “key” to their problems, and you’ll have evangelistic customers who come back again and again.

Any business will cringe at the thought of what the banks put them through to use credit cards. If you do not know what I mean, then this article is for you!

The fact is that everyone online wants to use a credit card or debit card to process their order. It is very true in our society that the credit card is a way of life, and if you do not offer that ability to accommodate them, customers will move on to another website that does allow them to use their cards. This society has become driven by instant gratification and expects to receive their products immediately, either by a download or a short shipping duration. Taking credit cards as a form of payment on the internet or offline should be thoroughly understood. Read on to see what I mean and how to protect yourself.

The fact is that any merchant taking in payments is immediately at risk for whatever amount is charged and MORE. The banks will take the charge disputed along with a “charge back” fee right from your merchant account, and you better have enough in there that has cleared to pay your own bills or you will be charged more for “overdraft charges”. Some banks are waking up to the fact that it is not always the merchant at fault and most merchants are more than honest in their dealings. There is so much credit card fraud out there and since the merchants are ALWAYS liable, you need to realize this and take action to prevent as much disaster for your business as possible.

First, if you have your own merchant account, then you have a lot of work to do when you receive a credit card order. You must verify as best you can that the card, the name on the card, the address, the cvv number verification, and the quantities are all in order. You need to verify the IP address of every order and see if it is within the location of the card holder. A person living in Toronto, Canada, probably would not be in Las Cruces, New Mexico, charging products. This is a red flag but not a deal breaker, some people DO travel. Caution needs to be taken to protect your cash flow. As a merchant you must get money safely into your account for any goods or service you provide, so that you can become a larger or more substantial independent business.

Do not just take in cards and believe that everything is going to be just fine now that you have the money in your account, because it can come out just as fast, or faster, than it went in. There is a real need for you to understand a lot more than can be mentioned in this article.

The best way to receive all the tools and services you need to protect yourself and to make your voice heard is to check this website: http://www.merchant911.org This is a group of dedicated individuals who have been working for years to try to change banking and processing company rules and regulations as relative to merchants, both large and small. If you need any more proof of their dedication, just read some of the press releases and look at the tools they have assembled for merchants to use.

Right now is the time to start to protect yourself from credit card fraud. If you have read any of the newspapers or listened to any of the news reports, then you already know you are at risk. There are reports of over 40 million cards in the hands of criminals and thieves and they will sell these cards or will use them in various illegal methods. It’s not hard to imagine that some day soon you will be approached and asked to spend your time and money to ship a product or provide a service with these fraudulent cards.

You have decided it is time to be self-employed and that franchising is the best route for you. Most business start-ups are financed. If you are planning on using financing, it is best to start looking at your finance options right away. Finding the right source, going through the application and approval process usually takes longer than expected.

Home Equity Loan: This is the quickest and usually the least expensive of the commercial-type loan options. If you have owned your home for awhile and have some equity getting a home loan is about a 30-day process. If you choose the line of credit loan, you can write checks as you need to pay for items. One thing you need to remember is to include your loan payment as part of you business expenses when figuring your projected financial statements.

Your Retirement Account: This form of financing is not widely known. There are companies that will legally convert those funds that are locked in a retirement account into an account to use for your new business. This option is not for those who are intolerant to risk since you are using funds allocated for your retirement and there is no guarantee that you will be successful and able to refund your account.

SBA Loan: The Small Business Administration has loans for financing new businesses. The SBA does not actually provide the funds, they provide the guarantee to the banks. They also create the loan programs and the criteria for the loan approval.

Keeping It In The Family: What if you do not own a home but you have great credit? How about using the home of a family member as collateral for your SBA loan? Of course, now you not only need to convince the SBA that you’re a good risk, you also need to convince your family member that you are going to be successful.

Asset-Based Lenders: If your business will include purchasing equipment and fixtures, an asset-based lender is an option. You probably will not be able to finance all your business expenses, like the franchise fee, but this is a way to reduce the amount of cash you have to invest at start-up. The assets of your business are the collateral for the loan. Be aware that the interest rate and costs for this option will be higher than a loan with real estate as collateral.

Sell Stock In Your Corporation: This option takes some extra effort because you need to convince potential investors that your business will be a big success. You will also have to hire an attorney to incorporate your business and make sure you are following the law in your sale of stock. Your business plan and projected financial should be very compelling, yet realistic, so that your potential investors will be excited to invest.

These are many of the common options for financing your franchise. It is important to include your choice of financing in your decision to purchase a franchise or any business.

You are starting or expanding your business – great! But you are looking at many more demands on your finances: office equipment, tools, furniture, computers and peripherals, vehicles, etc. Deciding whether to buy or lease what you need might seem overwhelming.

Leasing is tempting to many, as it requires less cash up front. Having enough cash is essential for survival when beginning or expanding your business, as you will also need to invest in many intangibles such as marketing, licensing, or hiring help. But, leasing usually costs more in the long run, often quite a bit more, and you are normally committed to a contracted time period. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons:

Some Advantages of Leasing:

1. Lower Costs at Start-Up

Few businesses have “more than enough” cash on hand, especially when just beginning or expanding. Lower start-up costs can give you more time to get settled into the marketplace and get the word out about your products and services, giving you a much better chance of surviving those risky first years. You can get a lot more for a lot less immediate expenditure by leasing. Buying 20 computers will cost you thousands of dollars; leasing 20 computers may only run you a few hundred dollars per month.

2. Support and Maintenance

Leased equipment usually includes ongoing support, maintenance, upgrading, and possibly even training for you and your staff. You can even “lease” your business management software and services by way of online subscription. This can enable even the smallest business to have the latest software versions automatically provided, and support staff on-call in the event of trouble. (You might be amazed to learn how much time is lost and headaches created in many small businesses by confusing and challenging management and record keeping software and systems.) With hardware, it is far easier, for example, to call the lessor and have a broken copier replaced immediately than to wait for the repair serviceman for your purchased copier, wait out the downtime, and then face the bill for his services.

3. Flexibility

When you buy something, even if your needs change or better technology becomes available, your investment is tied up in the purchased item. Leasing may allow you to update or replace your equipment or furniture when you need to, or even get rid of the commitment if you no longer need the item.

4. Tax Advantage

Most lease payments can be fully deducted in the year you paid them, whereas major equipment purchases may have to be depreciated over several years. Since your money will likely be tighter in the beginning months and years of your business, the ability to offset lease expenses against your initial investments may help you greatly at tax time.

Some Advantages of Buying Equipment and Supplies Outright:

1. Lower Lifetime Costs

Many things will cost you far less in total if you purchase them outright rather than leasing. You might pay $300 for an ergonomic desk chair that will serve you well for many years. The same chair, if leased, might run you $30 per month. You would then be paying $360 per year for the leased chair.

2. Lower Monthly Overhead

When you lease, you must pay the lessor on time, regardless of the level of cash on hand. If the income of your business varies widely from month to month, you can choose to only purchase equipment when you have the cash on hand and you will have fewer problems meeting your monthly budget.

3. Assets Rather than Liabilities

What you buy outright becomes an asset of your business, and so enhances your “bottom line.” Lease payments, on the other hand, qualify as liabilities, and so lower your company’s value. This may be important if you need to get a business loan or decide to sell your business. If you move or go out of business, your assets may be sold or taken with you, but it may be much harder to dispose of your lease contracts.

4. Tax Advantage

Since the IRS allows you to deduct a large amount of your business purchases from your gross income, if you are having a good year you may save significantly more by purchasing outright rather than leasing.

So, obviously there are pros and cons of buying as well as leasing. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision:

* Leases are best for more expensive items, and cash purchases for less expensive items. Lower cost items can usually be afforded from income on hand, but it may not be advisable to deplete your funds to make larger purchases. If you lease the larger items, you can budget to save and purchase your own later, and still have management and promotion funds available now.

* Check with your tax advisor. Find out the financial and tax implications of leasing versus buying for your individual situation.

* Last but certainly not least, don’t be tempted to buy what you don’t really need. If you are just getting started, use thrift-shop desks and other furniture, settle for a good telephone with answering machine rather than the full inter-office network being promoted, and watch for office or industrial close-out sales or auctions, where you can buy still-serviceable supplies for pennies on the dollar. If your company is to grow and thrive, cash in the bank is worth much more than beautiful furniture or the latest techno-marvel.