How to Reduce Expenses and Add to the Bottom Line in Your Cleaning Business

Business owners are struggling to make their cleaning business succeed in the current economy. We can all use some help in figuring out ways to save money. We've noticed that many of our members have some great ideas, so we ran a contest to see how many good money-saving suggestions our readers could come up with. We give a big thank you to all who responded. Look through these hints and see how many of them will help you!

1. Sign up for the rewards plan at an office supply store like Office Depot. You'll start receiving gift cards in the mail for discounts on your purchases. Also, sign up for their catalog and email list. They're always sending out discounts, free shipping etc. Then order online and be sure to use their minimum order for free shipping -- this saves you money on time and gas spent traveling to the store.

2. Rather than paying for separate services like phone, long distance, cell phone and internet, combine them into one plan from one provider. Most offer great deals when you combine everything into one plan.

3. For business cards, logo design, websites, post cards, and car magnets, set up an account at www.vistaprint.com. Once you sign up, you'll receive emails for free items a couple times per week. You do have the Vista Print website printed on the back, but you only have to pay for shipping, so it's a great way for new business owners to get started.

4. Save money on printer ink cartridges.

• Take your empty toner or ink cartridges to Office Depot. You will receive $3 each for up to three cartridges per visit toward your total purchase.
• Refill your empty ink cartridges at Walgreens, instead of buying a new one each time. I would recommend doing this with black ink only as the color refills do not tend to be a great quality.
• You can also save money by using the store brand at office supply stores.

6. Make your own employee handbooks at: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wihispanic/employee_handbook/default.htm

7. Quickbook users can find help via telephone at: http://www.qbalance.com/QuickBooks_tips_on_office_procedures.htm#Keeping%20backups%20offsite

8. To help calculate time cards, use this advanced time calculator: http://www.onlineconversion.com/advanced_time_calculator.htm

9. To calculate paychecks: http://www.paycheckcity.com/netpayhratescalc/netpayHRatescalculator.asp

10. Here's a good calculator for sales tax: http://www.csgnetwork.com/salestaxcalc.html. Check out links at the bottom of the page for other calculators available.

11. Find helpful Tax Tips from H&R Block: http://hrblock.com/taxes/tax_tips/index.html.

12. For a free alternative to Microsoft Office, go to www.openoffice.org. It has the whole package: word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more, and it's FREE.

13. For a free voice mail system for your business, check out www.grandcentral.com. When callers call in, it rings multiple lines. When you answer, the system tells you that you have a call and you press 1 to answer with your business greeting. If no one answers it goes to its own voice mail system where the customer can leave a message. The system e-mails you the voice mail which you can check through your phone or e-mail, and it sends you a text message letting you know you have a voice mail. It's easy to use and it's FREE.

14. Create a list of all of the supplies you use and put your "business" out to bid. Contact 3 janitorial supply companies and let them bid on your getting your business. Most offer free delivery. Buy in bulk whenever you can. You will pay far less than buying off the shelf and using your gas and time to "shop."

15. Make sure all of your accounts, residential and commercial are "mapped" out geographically so crews are not wasting time driving.

16. Hire your teenager son or daughter to do some of the chores and duties you would normally an employee pay full price. Things like washing your car, stocking and refilling supplies, keeping inventory level, looking for coupons in the paper to use on supplies are important and must be done. In lieu of payment, you can barter activities like Friday night football or items like "I have to have it blue jeans." If you do pay your children, it can be tax-deductible if done properly.

17. Take advantage of the gas cards businesses like Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Costco, and Home Depot are offering. If you use their store gas card, you get 3 cents off each gallon of gas. The gas cards are free and every little bit helps.

18. Go green in your office. Turn off lights when not in use; turn off computer monitor (big energy hog); don't leave computer on all night; turn off printers and other equipment when they're not being used; replace light bulbs with energy efficient ones; re-use the back side of paper instead of throwing it away; recycle.

19. Save trips to the post office by using their online services or sign up for an online service like www.stamps.com.

20. Find an intern at a local college to help with office work.

21. Hire a hungry student for logo and graphics work for half the price of a professional firm.

22. Use online coupons to save money. Google "online coupons" for websites that offer online and printable coupons.

23. Use Craigslist for all kinds of deals on office furniture, equipment, cheap help and more!

24. When buying books at Amazon, buy used books rather than paying full price.

25. Visit your local janitorial supplier to see if they sell demo equipment, used or repaired equipment for less.

26. Raise your deductibles on insurance policies.

27. Take advantage of discounts on early payments.

28. If you belong to any trade associations or Chambers of Commerce, find out what kind of discounts members receive on goods and services.

29. Take advantage of cash rewards, travel rewards or discounts through your credit card company.

30. Shop for discounted travel fares and hotels online.

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Copyright TheJanitorialStore.com. All Rights Reserved.
Jean Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through her online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at //www.thejanitorialstore.com.