We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Small biz MoneySaving

Archives for May 2006

Any help on best way to source funds to buy a business please???
Hi all, This is my situation - I have the opportunity to buy a very good business from a friend who is retiring and has no family to pass the business on to, so i am getting it for a VERY good rate! (second hand car sales lot in prime location) HOWEVER, to raise the funds i need to borrow the money! around 75k! My house…
Selling greeting cards
Hi! I was wondering if there are any moneysavers out there who sell greetings cards as a hobby or small business? I am intending to sell high quality photgraphic greetings cards - I'm not expecting it to be a cash cow but it might give me some extra pocket money. Is the any advice people can give me regarding how to sell…
Business Banking 'ReStart' issue(s)
This last few months has been difficult for my small company which I own. Changes in the business sector I work in dried up the demand. Months back it ended up my small company owed me money. I took out a personal loan to cover the costs to my own company. The bank that had both my personal and company banking closed me…
They copied my name!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi bit of a strange dilemma, not sure if anyone can help. Have been trading now for three years, have built up a good reputation and have lots of account customers. Yesterday i heard a rumour that a shop has opened this week about 6 miles away in the same trade and they have chosen to use my business name. What can i do…
Starting a Business... But where do I get cheap goods from???
Hi, I've been meaning to start an online business selling video games online and anything related to that with my brother and friend for quite some time now. We have had meetings several times and we have set out a plan, researched about the different competition etc. We are all IT graduates and we also have pre-university…
Answering machine
Is there an answering machine that can be set up to give one message at one time of the day (when office open but busy on another line) and a different message at another time (when the office is closed). Any help would be appreciated Geoff
WARNING! Internet scam aimed at small businesses
I think that I had this once before last year If I remember rightly they were offering free advertising for one year which needed to be updated. What wasnt made clear was that after one year if you hadn't renewed with payment a couple of months before the deadline they expected payment for the following year. They dont…
Gift Aid question
Hi, I have heard about Gift Aid and that charities can get more if donators use Gift Aid, but i don't really know what it is or understand it. My family and I have recently been doing some fundraising for the charity coeliac UK and have raised about £500. We plan to send it to them as one cheque - is there anything we can…
What are the key things....
.......A flyer or leaflet should have one them? I have someone to design but I have to give them the wording and I know everyone here has such fantastic advice and opinions...(she smiles)
Moving Ltd company to Scotland?
My (small, worked from home) Ltd co. is "registered in England & Wales", but we're about to move to Scotland. Does anyone know if I'll have to re-register it there or do anything regarding this change? Hoping someone knows the answer to this obscure question!
Ltd Company...Annual Return help
Hi, I'm sole-trader but last year to protect my "company name" i registered as a Ltd company at Companies House. Everything went smooth and now after a year i have recived "363s Annual Return" form (partly filled). Now i just wonder how easy to submit this form? :confused: Anyone have submited this? Do i just need to sign…
Balloon manufacturer needed
Hi, looking for information or suggestions for balloon manufacturers - looking for a 2-3 square foot balloon made of something durable (rubber/vinyl maybe?). Hopefully i'll need quite a few (100+). Anyone have any suggestions? Had a look on google and all i can find is stuff on a band called balloon maker! Am I searching…
Business electricity contract comparison site
Anybody know of such a thing? Thanks, Justin
Credit card transaction charges
We have a small self catering holiday business and have accepted credit card transactions with an imprinter and paper vouchers for several years. I'v just had a letter from the Bank of Scotland recommending that we rent and electronic terminal @ £15 per month WITH A 4 YEAR, NON TRANSFERABLE CONMTRACT. If we do so we'll…
Buying a car-best way?
Hi, Pls can anyone advise....My friend is looking to buy a car via their business. It will be a joint family/business car. Questions: *What are the tax implications of this as they are a sole trader?. *Can they claim vat back? *Also, is there a minimum amount they need to use for the business?, as it might not be feasible…
VAT for Public Houses?
I need some advice on VAT for a public house (pub). Most of the goods they buy for sale are either food stock (0% vat) or wet stock (17.5% vat). Other consumables and items for the pub are bought at 17.5% too. The only types of product sold are food and alcohol/drink. What vat rate is charged on sales, and how much can be…
web site needed
I am looking for someone to design a web site for my new business. it has to be a basic one, as I am just starting up, so not much money to invest. maybe a page with 2 or 3 links. any idea about the cost involved?
0800 number for business
hi Good Afternoon a couple of months ago someone asked about 0800 numbers for their business, I believe someone else suggested a company that had no sign up fee for the number . and you got inclusive mins for around £10 per month have done a search to no avail, does anyone remember or can help
Starting a bussiness...........
I am planning to start teaching art from home (Nottingham).How do I advertise for it. does it cost a lot to get leaflets distributed. who do I contact for it. Are there any other cost effective ways to advertise? .......Please help
Owed money and company gone into receivership?
What happens now? Owed money by a company that has gone into receivership??

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

View All

Small biz MoneySaving

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Small biz MoneySaving

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free