Business supplies can be very expensive, but they are essential items to help a business or office run smoothly and efficiently. The great news is that there are some effective ways of reducing the amount you spend on purchasing business supplies. Comparison Shop The first way you can save money is by taking a good look at what supplies you are currently buying. Make an inventory list that shows exactly what you are spending for the items you must have each month. Then, use your list to comparison shop. You can compare prices of different brand names, at different stores, and even online. You might be surprised to find that you can find the same items you currently use online for a cheaper price. Doing a little research before you buy might save you more than you think. Try to Negotiate Never underestimate the value of trying to negotiate. Call the vendor that you use the most. Some vendors are willing to negotiate if they know that you will be a repeat customer each month. You can promise to only buy from a certain vendor if that vendor will promise to give you the best prices on the items you need. Both you and vendor can benefit from this type of arrangement. One tip is to have a list of items you will need handy when you call the vendor. The vendor will need to know exactly what items you will buy, so he can figure out how much of a discount he can offer you. Join a Warehouse Club Warehouses clubs will charge a membership fee that you will have to pay before you can start shopping at them. However, warehouse clubs usually have a whole section devoted entirely to office supplies. If you are willing to pay the membership fee, you can get great savings on the supply items you buy most often. More than likely, you will have to buy in bulk when shopping at warehouse clubs, but this comes with an added benefit. Buying in bulk usually means that you are getting a cheaper price per unit. If you have a supply closet or storage area that you can use to store the supplies, buying in bulk will save you money in the long run. Go Paperless Another way to reduce your spending on supplies is to mandate that your office go paperless. This requires a few changes in the way the office works, but it will save a great deal of money on paper. Instead of sending memos to employees, you can send e-mails. Instead of typing up announcements and handing them out, hold a morning meeting each morning to verbally make announcements. Instead of handwriting the minutes in a meeting, type them, and save them on your computer. You will soon realize how much paper your office was wasting. You can use the money you save by not buying as much paper on other needs. Visit the Store One other way you can save money is to visit the supply store yourself. Then, you can check the store's clearance section to find great deals and bargains at discounted prices.