Although these tips are written for business owners, many of these tips can be used for everyday people as well to save and make money. They can be done immediately, and over the course of a month or a year, you will find more money in your bank account. Young Woman Stuffing Money into Back Pocket, mid section, rear view

1) Use a rewards credit card. A rewards card offers just that…rewards. Often, these rewards can be turned in for free products or cash.

 

2) JOURNAL EVERY MILE YOU DRIVE. In November of 2007, the IRS announced that business miles could now be written off at $0.505 per mile, medical or moving miles at $0.19 per mile and charity service miles at $.14 per mile. Therefore, whether for business or personal, add these miles up at the end of the year and get back a bigger refund, or pay less tax.

3) BECOME A NETWORKER. Word-of-Mouth advertising is the best and cheapest method for advertising. It gives you credibility, saves you money, and increases your odds of “getting the job.” Therefore, create your own networking group by asking friends and family to put you in touch with other business professionals. In no time, you will have a powerful sales force looking for customers and you will be doing the same for them.

4) GET A FREE PAYPAL ACCOUNT. www.PayPal.com offers the lowest fees for accepting credit cards whether you are a business owner or selling on eBay. For as low as 1.9% of a sale, you can accept any credit card through your computer instantly and transfer it into your bank account within 24 hours. Not only will you increase your sales, but also you will be able to create a free 24/7 online catalog.

5) TELECOMMUTE. With companies like www.GoToMyPC.com and www.PCNow.WebEx.com, you can now logon to any computer from anywhere and see all your files instantly. By telecommuting, you will be able to save on gas money, travel time, automobile expenses and office overhead, while at the same time acquiring several money-saving tax deductions.

6) USE THE UPROMISE.COM TOOLBAR TO FIND THE BEST DEALS. Upromise is a website dedicated to helping people accumulate money for college. However, they also have a free toolbar that you can download and utilize to find the best deals on the Internet. Simply type in what you are looking for, and then narrow the selection by features, price, and store. Not only can you save hundreds of dollars a year, but you can also get money back that can be used for anyone’s college education, or to pay down student loans.

7) JOIN AFFILIATE PROGRAMS. Affiliate programs are free to join and allow you to sell hundred of products on your website instantly without ever investing in an inventory. Furthermore, if you have a product to sell, you can offer a commission to affiliates who want to sell your product, and you pay nothing until they make a sale. Commission Junction (www.cj.com) is one of these companies that have some of the best affiliates on the web.

8) SUGGESTIVE SELL. Whether you are selling at a garage sale or selling to maintain your livelihood, ALWAYS suggest a second item or third item to go with the first. However, be certain to name a product and not just ask “Would you like anything else?” By naming an associated product, you create a mental image in the buyer’s mind and give them a chance to give you more of their money.

9) ELIMINATE TROUBLESOME CUSTOMERS. While it would seem that eliminating customers will cost you money, freeing up the time that troublesome customers consume will allow you to find better customers who order regularly with or without you. Stick to the customers you enjoy working with, and you will increase your cash flow immensely while also reducing your stress level.

10) CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN. This is recommended for every business for several reasons. Not only does it help focus your business and your goals, but it can also help guide your business’s choices and get you funding when most needed. Look online for free business-plan templates and just fill in the blanks.

11) SIGN UP FOR MILEAGE PROGRAMS. www.United.com is one of the best mileage programs available since you can earn miles by simply registering for their grocery and dining programs. As soon as you’ve accumulated as little as 13,000 miles, you can earn a free flight in the off-season to hundreds of locations. Programs such as these are free to join and make it easy to earn free flights.

12) UTILIZE DROP SHIPPING. Drop Ship companies are designed to ship out the products that you sell to your customers while charging you a flat fee. Not only can this save you money on paying for a shipping staff and postage embezzlement, but it can also save you from having to pay for a storage area for your inventory. Go to www.WorldWideBrands.com to find companies that can help you with your products.

13) GO TO WWW.SCORE.ORG FOR FREE BUSINESS ADVICE. This company is comprised of retired entrepreneurs who spend all their time mentoring people into thriving businesses. You can get free advice regarding everything from venture capital to business plans.

14) START A BLOG. Whether you own a business or are just looking to make some extra cash, a blog can actually help you achieve that. By writing something interesting and informative, you can build up a loyal readership. Post some ads from Google AdSense on your blog pages, and soon you will be adding bit by bit to your bank account, plus building your expertise and credibility among your “fans.”

15) USE TESTIMONIALS. People want to know that you are a good company. By asking your current clients and friends to give a testimonial about you that you can place on your website and in your brochures, you gain credibility and increase the odds of making new sales.

16) DEDICATE AN AREA OF YOUR LIVING SPACE TO A HOME OFFICE. If the home office is used for business purposes, you can deduct a portion of your mortgage/rent, utilities and supplies legally.

17) OPEN AN IRA. Although you may not consider putting money into an account a profitable situation, at this time of year, shuttling $2,000 into an IRA before April 15th can actually reduce your tax bill or even get you a larger refund. Plus, you are keeping that $2,000 for use at a later date.

18) OPEN A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT. If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you should consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA). This money is tax deductible and can be used immediately for any kind of medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability. Just like an IRA, you can write off the money you set aside and have more money in your pocket at the end of the year.

19) OPEN A COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR A CHILD. Also like an IRA, there are several college savings accounts that offer tax deductions, thus keeping more money in your pocket and earning interest to boot. Some of these plans include a 529 Plan or a Coverdell ESA.

20) SIGN UP FOR TRAVELOCITY’S EMAIL ALERTS. If you are looking to travel, Travelocity’s e-mail alerts can alert you to the best prices on the flights you want on a daily basis. By signing up for their free e-mail alerts, you will never pay retail again, thus saving hundreds and even thousands of dollars.



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