5 Steps to Save Your Business Money in 2010

5. Read the fine print. Different vendors have different prices and stipulations. Read the fine print of contracts to increase transparency from your vendors so you can be sure you’re getting fair market terms and conditions at fair market value. There's little regulation in this area, so it’s up to you to make the extra effort to know exactly what you’re paying for.

None of us are immune to the economy. But combining these measures with other smart spending behavior can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving.

Jon Winsett is CEO of NPI, an Atlanta-based spend management consulting firm. NPI works to cut costs in major spend categories, such as transportation/shipping, telecommunications and IT. Jon can be reached at jwinsett@npifinancial.com.