7 Ways to Save Money and Launch Your Startup

Launching a startup is an exciting prospect. It definitely takes a lot of planning and every startup takes some money to launch. It is important to be proactive about how you manage your money as you launch your startup so that you can more quickly reach profitability and sustain the business for the long term. It helps to have a nest egg that you can fall back on as you launch your business. Here are seven ways you can save money to help you launch your startup.

1. Save Money by Taking on Side Gigs

As you prepare to launch your startup, you likely need to build capital. Working on side gigs related to your startup is a great way to find the money for your business and to build a list of potential clients before you launch. The key to doing this is to take the money you are earning from gigs and immediately deposit them into your savings account for your business. Do not forget to set aside money for your taxes as a freelancer when you work the side gigs.

2. Save Money by Eliminating Your Personal Debt

If you can open your startup without consumer debt or credit card payments weighing down on you, you will be able to manage your personal finances on a leaner budget, which can take some of the pressure off as you work to launch your business working to eliminate your consumer debt will help you be prepared to launch your business. It can also help you if you are planning on taking out a small business loan as it will help you to improve your credit and then lower the interest rates associated with those loans. Banks can be very strict when it comes to business loans, and so it is important to be as proactive as possible on this.

3. Create a Personal Budget to Help You Save

One of the best ways to save money is to create a budget. A budget allows you to quickly identify areas where you may be overspending and prioritize expenses so that you can find additional money to put towards your goal of saving for your startup. You may be able to quickly see areas where you can cut back on your spending that can help you save without negatively impacting your quality of life. You can use this to identify ways to save on your monthly expenses.

4. Find Money You May Already Have to Save

You may realize that you can cash in on stock options from your current job that will allow you to raise the capital that you need to start your business. Avoid using any of your retirement savings to open your business. The tax and early withdrawal penalties will significantly reduce the spending power of that money and it can impact you negatively in the future. You may also consider selling items that you no longer need or use. Some hobby items can really raise a significant amount of money and if you never or rarely use them, you may be able to reach your goal much more quickly. If you do cash out these options, you may want to put them in one of the best short-term investments so that the money will continue to grow while you save.

5. Cut Back on Unnecessary Spending to Save Money Quickly

One of the quickest ways to save money is to cut back on unnecessary spending. You can do this by preparing your meals at home, cutting down on your entertainment costs, ride-sharing and by looking at which memberships you can cancel or postpone. There are a lot of ways to quickly save money with short term sacrifices. Choosing to postpone an expensive vacation for a short while to help you save capital to open your dream business may be worth it. Choosing to take a trip closer to home that is less expensive can also help to make a difference.

6. Save Money by Keeping Starting Costs Low and Grow According to Your Demand

One of the easiest ways to save on starting up your business is to keep your starting costs as low as possible. This means that you will want to grow slowly and carefully consider each new cost as you grow your business. Here are a few ideas that you can use.

• Take advantage of technology to help you launch your startup. There are a number of affordable apps and programs that can help you with everything from marketing to accounting that will keep the cost much lower than hiring a firm or in-house team to address them. As you grow you can expand these efforts and spend more money on these services.
• Find a bank that is friendly to small businesses. Banks offer inhouse services that can help with payroll. They may also offer small business startup loans and be willing to work with you on transaction fees. Shopping for a bank that will fit your needs is worth the time it may take.
• Share office spaces. One of the most expensive costs of a startup may be opening the offices. You may be able to do most of your initial work from home, but you still need a professional place to meet customers and potential investors. Using a shared office space or a temporary office is a great way to do this. These offices offer individual offices, meeting rooms and may even have a shared secretary that will help you create a professional environment at a much lower cost.
7. Build a Personal and a Business Emergency Fund

It is important to create an emergency fund for both yourself and your business. This will help you save money on interest payments and give you the peace of mind you need so that you can focus on growing your business. It helps to find the best online savings account that will offer a higher interest rate, and also one that is offering a sign-up bonus. Having an emergency fund in place can help you save on the interest that would accrue if you had to use your credit cards instead.