Deals and Discounts for Business Owners

Question: Like many business owners, I'm pinching pennies these days. Where can I find discount deals on routine purchases like shipping, insurance, software, printing and computers? I received a mailing from a group offering discounts, but it's hopelessly lost in my cluttered office.

Answer: We sympathize with your plight, on both counts. Our desks resemble ski slopes if we don't keep on top of all the paper that comes in. There are some great small biz associations and other organizations that offer excellent perks and deals for small business owners on just the kinds of things you mention.

• The National Federation of Independent Business (www.nfib.com) - the largest and one of the oldest small business groups in America - offers some excellent deals and discounts. NFIB members save from five to 50 percent on things like Microsoft licenses, Quickbooks software, FedEx and Roadway shipping and all kinds of insurance. Potential savings more than cover the $200 per year dues to join this powerful community of 600,000 small business owners. Until a few years ago, NFIB shunned these deals, focusing purely on its political agenda. But the discount program has added a new element, and continues to grow. All in all, a great deal. Visit the Web site or call (800) NFIB-NOW. NFIB has headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., and Washington, DC, plus offices in all 50 state capitals.
  
  
• OPEN Small Business Network (open.americanexpress.com) offers money-saving deals for American Express small business cardholders. Biz owners get automatic discounts of 25 percent from FedEx, 10 percent from Kinko's, five percent from Dell, Cingular Wireless and Nextel, and two percent from Mobil and Exxon. There's also a 20 percent discount on D&B credit and collection services, and a Business Travel Center with air, car and hotel deals. Click on "Save" at the Web site or call (800) NOW-OPEN.
  
  
• Cost Blaster (www.costblaster.com) is a small business resource that we rate a "Hidden Gem." This little known site is uncluttered, easy to grasp and chock full of cost-cutting and money-saving leads and links. Categories include payroll, phones, insurance, rent, marketing, travel, printing, shipping, supplies and accounting. Visit the Web site or e-mail staff@costblaster.com. No phone contact.
  
  
• Get discounts of 10 percent or more on hundreds of IBM computer products and services for small business through dozens of organizations you may already belong to. Quickest way to locate an organization is to check the list directly at (ibm.com/businesscenter/us/alliance) or call (888) IBM-5800.
  
  
• The AARP Small Business Center offers discounts on products and services in areas such as sales and marketing, technology, legal services, insurance and office supplies. Anyone 50 or older can join AARP for $12.50/year. Visit the online AARP Small Business Center at (www.aarpsmallbiz.com) or call (800) 424-3410.

Moving Excess Inventory

Question: I'm stuck with too much inventory that I need to move before it eats me alive. Should I dig a hole and bury it? Or are there solutions I should try?

Answer: Don't dig yet. Here are two solutions to consider. One involves selling the items online, and the other generates a nice tax deduction for giving it to charity.

• Overstock B2B (www.overstockb2b.com), the business-to-business division of Overstock.com, is a place where manufacturers, retailers, e-tailers and catalog companies sell excess inventory quickly without disrupting local sales. Check the Help & Info section of the Web site or e-mail generalinfo@overstockb2b.com.
  
  
• NAEIR (www.naeir.org) is the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources. For over 25 years, this non-profit has been taking donations of merchandise from U.S. companies and redistributing the goods to other non-profits such as churches and schools. Donating goods earns you an above-cost (yes, that's right) federal income tax deduction, frees up expensive space, avoids liquidation hassles and helps schools or other groups. See the Web site or call (800) 562-0955.