Comments on: Tips for start-ups looking to save big money sans being cheap

Want to change the world with your start-up? You can, and you don't need to blow a big wad of cash to do it.

[royrusso]

Theres nothing earth-shattering on the list. However, it says a lot about the character of the CEO, when he's running the ship like this after raising ~$20m.

[davemoyer2005]

I'd disagree with the expensive chairs part- provide those big rubber exercise balls for chairs. Keep your back in the best shape you can think of, and you can bounce!

[russ danner]

well I have to agree with the Mac comment -- I finally converted and ... it is amazing to have a real machine. No more cygwin required to make the machine usable.

[fazalmajid]

Set up a sleep pod - a 15 to 30 minute mid-day nap is a tremendous boost to productivity.

If your startup requires web hosting, do not build your own, use a reliable service provider like Joyent.

Buy a document scanner that can scan to PDF instead of a photocopier. Eschew paper.

Avoid commercial databases like Oracle, use PostgreSQL or MySQL. Do not fall for "starter editions" with limitations that will bite you down the line and require expensive licenses.

Microsoft Office should only be used for interacting with clients. Non-networked documents are an anachronism that has no place in a 21st century business. Use wikis.

Avoid graphics programs like Visio or OmniGraffle. They soak up tremendous amounts of time futzing with diagrams, when a digicam shot of a whiteboard or a scan of a quick sketch get the job done much faster, and with minimal fuss. Outsource professional diagrams for client presentations.

[jrm125]

Sounds good...hire me!