How to Cut Costs for Office Supplies
The cost of office supplies can be prohibitive, especially if you run a large-scale office that consumes large amounts of resources. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper every year---a serious cost-cutting initiative could help reduce this expense significantly. If you are concerned about the high cost of office supplies, there are a few simple steps that you can take to reduce your expenditures.
Instructions
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Sign up for a Staples Rewards account, an Office Max MaxPerks account, or a similar rewards program with the company that you buy your supplies from. You will receive a discount card that you can use to take advantage of discounts and cash-back offers.
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Order in bulk. Many office supplies outlets will give you a quantity or volume discount if you order a large amount of goods---the amount varies depending on the product and amount. So purchase all of the office supplies you need at the beginning of the year to last between six to 12 months at a time. Contact the office supply company's "large quantity" or similarly-named department to establish a bulk account.
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Implement aggressive methods to save paper, a major office supply cost. Do this by using your computer to send email letters instead of mailing hard copies, uploading files to websites and delivering the links for your contacts to view, and sending online faxes so that you won't have to print and then fax pieces of paper.
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Consider shopping online for some of your office supplies as an alternative to your usual office supply store. Do some digging at sites like BizRate.com or PriceGrabber.com. For example, you may be able to find shipping containers (boxes and envelopes) at a deeper discount online (including shipping) as compared to some office supply stores.
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Order recycled ink cartridges instead of brand-new ones. You can save up to 75% off the price of new cartridges this way. Some office supply stores also will reimburse you a small amount when you return used ink cartridges to the store---you can use the credit toward new supplies.
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Tips & Warnings
Reuse your manila folders by flipping them inside out or relabeling them.
Tether your pens to your desk with a string to prevent others from walking off with them.