Lowering Startup Costs Control your startup costs with a few simple measures.

Every startup knows the drill--you're big on dreams but short on cash. Fortunately, we've got the scoop on how to stretch your budget.

First, says Stephanie Frank, a business consultant and author of The Accidental Millionaire, "You've got to have a plan--you've got to know what your cash flow is." Know what you have in your coffers, and always plan for contingencies.

Also try keeping costs down like Jennifer Zan-kan, founder of Jeneration PR, a fashion and beauty PR and marketing agency in Sherman Oaks, California. Starting up in March 2005, Zankan, 30, invested the bulk of her $4,000 in startup money in a laptop and marketing materials with her professional logo. This former attorney stretched her money by doing everything from cutting living expenses to buying a used multifunction printer/fax/copier on eBay. It's helped her push annual sales well into the six figures.