That sucks for people getting the new iPhone 4 – so if you know someone, why not help them out and get a Apple iPhone Bumper that is also rumoured to solve this problem? $29 in the Apple Store, and you’ve made an Apple-geek mega-happy!

Get Today’s Gift Idea!

Working at home from my desk, I’m constantly getting messages and phone calls on my iPhone. Because of this, I end up needing to pick up my iPhone several times a day off my desk to check messages, et cetera. Today’s gift idea makes that a thing of the past and allows you to charge your iPod while it’s standing. Looks sturdy too, so when you need to hit anything on the screen, you can do so without taking it off the dock or anything.

Great gift idea for that iPod/iPhone lover on your list for only $20 that could use something to hold their phone up!

Get Today’s Gift Idea!

All this, plus Marv’s Top 5 FREE iPhone apps for saving money on vacation. This was in part because it’s handy knowledge to have, and in part to celebrate the official announcement of the iPhone4 this week. I’m saving up already to get one. So excited!

Probably the sweetest memo pads around, these Apple/Pear shaped memo pads look like delicious fruit on your desk, but in fact they are made of 150 premium sheets of note paper and a stem from an actual twig!

This is a great gift idea for an office buddy, your boss, and especially for a teacher. It’s such a cheery addition to a hectic office that your recipient will probably not even want to write on and use up the sheets!

Want a great deal on this gift item? Then checkout this great coupon on Gaucho!

6. Buy Apple Computers

I am absolutely stealing this from Jason Calacanus for one very good reason — he is right:

“Buy Macintosh computers, save money on an IT department”

Really, if you’re running a startup and are looking to save money (as if there’s a startup that isn’t looking to save money these days), his post is an absolute must read. His track record speaks for itself.

But I’d like to add something to Jason’s point. Not only can you save on IT costs, but by using a machine that actually works and doesn’t crash all the time, you have a chance to be much more productive and spend less time troubleshooting issues. I used an array of MicroSoft, Linux, and Apple platforms for years — basically because I had the same thought as everyone else: I just need a word processor and internet access, so I can save some money by buying a PC.

Personally, I won’t be doing that ever again. I’m exclusively Apple now. As a result, I spend less time trying to install and fix things and can focus on just getting things done. I’m sure MS devotees feel otherwise, but I’m not the only one that’s had this experience.

7. Order Locally

If your business is based on selling products, see if you can find a more local distribution channel. That way you can save on shipping and freight costs.

8. Hosting and ISP

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a small business that hired a design shop to build a website for them, only to  get outlandishly charged on a monthly basis when the design shop then bills them for hosting the website.

Now, I understand that most small business owners may not know any better. But I’m here to tell you: this is pure highway robbery.

Let’s say you had a shop build you a simple, static, HTML website in 2005. Then they charge you $125 a month to host it and set up your email accounts. If you want to update something on the website, they charge you. If you want to upload a new picture, they charge you. If you need support, they charge you. Get the picture? They’re overcharging you.

Most small business have a tiny web presence. Unless you provide access to sophisticated web-based tools or services, your small business probably has a 3 – 7 page website with some basic information about you, your team, and your services.

Guess what? You can get your own hosting with places like HostIcan for $143.50 a year. That includes unlimited hostable domains, unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, and of course, unlimited email accounts. At this time, they are offering 35% off your first year, which brings the price down to $93.21. Buy multiple years and save even more.

If you only have one little site, take a look at Laughing Squid for your hosting. Laughing Squid is very well-known in the Bay Area and famous for their customer service. A Mega Squid account is $8 a month and gives you 2GB of disk space, 75 GB of bandwidth, and 25 email accounts. For most small businesses, that’s plenty. And $96 a year is a whole lot better than $125 a month.

ISP

In a similar vein, many businesses get too comfortable with what they’re paying for internet access. They don’t want to rock the boat. If it ain’t broke … and all that jazz.

Yet, as competitors continue to emerge in broadband, you may be able to find a better option. That option might be a similar service at a better price, or faster connectivity at a slightly higher cost.

If your business is web related, assuring a fast connection can improve productivity, and therefore, profits. It’s worth looking into. However, before you go and sign up, be sure to check with people in your community about the actual speeds and customer service they’re getting. Some plans don’t live up to their marketing hype. Ask around online.

Sometimes smaller carriers will offer better rates. Many carriers will be responsive if you tell them you’ve found a better deal, or even if you simply ask for one.

9. Marketing

Time to give your website a facelift? What kind of site is it? If it’s a blog or small website, hire a shop or consultant that can put you on a WordPress-based platform. That way, when you want to update or change content, you don’t have to pay your design shop just to change a phone number. You’ll have similar up-front costs for the design, but less for ongoing maintanance.

If you’ve been putting money into traditional advertising and aren’t getting the results you once did, consider using email and getting involved in the social media scene instead. If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t just jump into it by yourself and start spamming everyone. Ask around, read, or hire a consultant to set you off in the right direction. Let them train your staff on what does and doesn’t work online.

10. Hire Freelancers

If you can’t afford a full-time staff but need help, hire freelancers to get you through heavy workloads or to provide the skills you need to get the job done.

11. Postage

If you’re mailing payments, see if you can set up free payment transactions through your bank’s website.

If you need to mail things, try to coordinate shipping and mailing to take advantage of bulk rates.

12. Reduce Your Inventory

People aren’t buying as much as they used to, so you can free up your cash flow for other things if you reduce the inventory of goods you keep on hand.

13. The Four Day Work Week

For many small businesses, their biggest expense is employee hours. Going to a 4-day work week and cutting wages by 20% is one way to cut back. Your employees may not be too happy, but if it means the difference between staying in business or not, most of them will understand. Explain that things will go back to the way they were when business picks back up.

14. Back Up Your Data Locally

This is a no-brainer, but make sure you regularly back up vital digital work to an external hard drive. Or two. The financial repercussions of losing work or proprietary information are not worth the risk. This is something I’ve been writing about for a long time. It’s happened to me before, so believe me — the smaller your business, the harder it will be to recover from losing your work. Find a secure way to backup your data.

A 1TB drive costs like $100 now, so there’s no excuse.

To Be Cont’d, Again

I can go on and on with this stuff, but alas, our little blog is only so big. So stop back tomorrow when I’ll focus in on web-apps that can save your small business money.

You can go out and fight the crowds and the traffic, and HOPE you find something good. But you better know where you’re going, what you’re looking for, and either have done your research (by visiting the GSS) or just cross your fingers and hope for the best.

The better way to go is, you guessed it, the ultimate turn to for last minute gifting in the cyber-age — the Gift Card. Send it by email and it’s sure to get there on time.

Gift Cards Rule

Some say giving a gift card is just giving money, with no real thought behind it. You know what? That’s true. You know what else? I’d take it every time. I have no problem with someone helping me to get something I want. I end up feeling like I got a great deal, especially when I find something marked down for post-holiday sales. Last year, I added up my gift cards and got a 1TB Seagate external drive. It was on sale and I spent like $30 of my own money, so I was stoked.

I don’t know anyone who really gets offended by a gift card. It’s definitely better than cash. You just need make sure it’s for a store where they can find something they want. And, for people that are tough to buy for, I’ve found this to be the best and most efficient option for all parties.

Here are some popular eCard options:

Click On and Get Your Shop On

Well, that should cover just about everyone — man, woman, child, young or old — and since I know your time is limited in clicking out these last minute gifts, I’ll only wish you good luck and happy holidays!

Gaucho 12 Days: Over, But Not Done Yet

While we’ve completed our Gaucho coverage of the 12 days of Christmas Savings, we’re not done yet. Tune back in tomorrow when Marv will be entertaining you via video GauchoCast.