Do you dread your company bills arriving? Has the current credit crunch taken a huge bite out of your already dwindling budget? Do you feel as though money is being needlessly spent? Everyone has felt the brunt of the economical downfall. As a result, companies are eagerly looking for ways to curb expenses.

Although, financially it is a tough challenge to try and cut back when prices are rising, there are many things that we can actively do right now to start saving money. Even the smallest changes can make the biggest difference at the end of every month. So, take some time to browse over your bank statement for the past few weeks, months and years and start to identify those areas where you are spending the most money.

Cast an eye over all of the figures, even the ones which at first glance may seem irrelevant and see if there items which are not being bought needlessly, too often or unnecessarily. It may even be worth looking into companies that you use on a regular basis to see if you cannot obtain cheaper quotes elsewhere.

As a short, sharp fix, below are some suggestions to get your economical juices flowing whether you are a manager of a multi national company or a one man band. To prove that these ideas really can work, make a note of your current expenses and check against them after you have implemented these changes. One month from now, you could start to see more money in your account and less in other people's pockets!

Tip Number One - Energy within, smaller bank account without.

Simply put, cut down on the amount of electricity that you are using. Motion sensor lights are a great way to ensure that rooms do not stay lit when there is no-one in them.

Tip Number Two - Don't get so heated.

Many offices let winter drag on for longer than necessary. As the days start to become longer and the chill is exchanged for a warmer breeze, turn off the heat in rooms which are rarely used. In contrast; during summer months there is no need to air condition rooms which only accommodate the odd visitor. If it feels a little stifling, you can always open the window. Alternatively, crank down the air-conditioning and heating a notch or two and start making immediate savings.

Tip Number Three - Expresso yourself with the coffee.

We all know how many gallons of coffee are sunk each working day. Many companies spare no expense when it comes to keeping employees happy with their daily caffeine fix. But why not make your fellow coffee drinkers aware of just how much their regular fill is costing the company per month? A labeled can with a breakdown of costs for sugar, filters, creamers and coffee should be a big enough wake-up call for your employees to see just how much their 'break' fluid is eating into the company budget. Agree a set sum to donate per month on coffee expenses and encourage employees to make up the rest. Alternatively, look around for cheaper suppliers and even buy on a yearly basis to make the bill easier to swallow.

Tip Number Four - Put it in print.

The cost of good quality paper has risen dramatically over the years so it makes good sense to print on both sides rather than just the one. Cutting down on paper usage has a two-fold effect of lowering costs and cutting down on environmental depletion. If you can avoid using printer ink and paper, use the old-fashioned ball point pen. Yes, it may take a little longer but why waste ink unnecessarily and a whole sheet of paper for a message which may only require a couple of lines. Cutting down on paper and ink also means cutting down on electricity. This trio strikes up a small fortune every time that they are combined.

Another way to avoid the dreaded threesome is to ask clients if you can send documents online rather than by fax. In nearly every case, they are sure to agree as virtual is a much more convenient way of saving the pennies.

Tip Number Five - Don't be so random.

We all do it, whenever we are making a stationery order, it is easy to pop in those post-it notes and other items we will hardly ever use. Hold back in future and make your own post-it notes from scraps of paper which would otherwise be thrown straight into the bin.

Tip Number Six - Open for suggestions.

Never underestimate the power of sharing a problem. If you are looking for ways to shrink your expenses, why not ask around the office for suggestions. You could even turn the whole process into a fun competition and offer a free breakfast or indulgent cake to the most inventive idea. People love to put on their thinking caps and many will come up with suggestions that they use in their everyday lives to save money.

Tip Number Seven - Throw away the paper towels.

There is nothing more wasteful than paper towels. Not only are they a regular expense but they are messy and often unrecyclable. Opt for air dryers which only work whilst the hands are placed underneath. There are many energy saving models on the market.

Tip Number Eight - Skype it.

If your phone bill is making you feel so desperate, you are contemplating ringing the Samaritans. Stop dialing for a moment and switch to Skype. Absolutely perfect for companies who regular ring overseas or make a lot of long distance calls. Skype is free to download onto your computer and it allows you to create a company account. This means that companies who also use Skype can contact you for free. Those that don't, can take advantage of cheaper calls. For example, a Skype call from the United States to London will cost just 1.5p per minute.

Tip Number Nine - Don't remain loyal.

If you have been buying coffee and inks on a regular basis from your local store and feel obliged to remain loyal to local businesses, don't. You will be amazed at how even the smallest wholesale order can still be classed as bulk and attract savings. Wholesalers are bound to be cheaper than your local store - so take advantage.

Tip Number Ten - Don't buy, rent.

Instead of buying your office equipment, why not consider renting it? You will save on repair charges and cut back on huge expenses especially if you have to buy a costly item such as a computer on a low budget.