Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

So, was anything on yesterday's list of easy baby steps toward a better environment up your alley?  I tried to bring in a few things that you could use in the office or at home during that post.  Today, let's tackle a few things that will serve companies well, whether they be the ones you work for or the ones you, yourselves, own and operate.  These are especially effective for small business owners who can really benefit from the reduced waste and output of funds: they'll help you go as paperless as possible.  Good for the environment, and good for your time (less paper to file or shred) and wallet (less paper to buy)!

1. If you haven't already, sign up for automatic deposit.  Ask your payroll department to email you your paystub for review each payday; you can print it if you really want to, but it'd be even easier to just create a file on your computer and save all your paystubs to it.  (Don't forget to create backups!)
2. Working as an independent contractor or for a company that doesn't offer automatic deposit?  Ask them to pay you via PayPal.  You'll get an email when the funds are deposited to your PayPal account, which you can save to a file similar to the above.
3. Sending invoices to companies in order to receive payment?  Bill them via email or send a fund request via PayPal.  They can print out an invoice on their end if they choose, and same on your end; or everyone can save them to files (again, remember those backups).  Handy for the accountant at the end of the year too - if need be, you can email them the file containing all of the invoices that have been sent and paystubs received if they need to review anything.
4. Need to send an interoffice memo or communicate with a group of contractors?  Email it.  Why print out 150 copies when most people would rather be able to read it via email anyway?  Is a response necessary?  Tag the email as "read receipt requested" so employees have to click that annoying little window - acknowledging that yes, they really did get the memo.  (Can't say for sure they'll read it or remember it, but that's a hazard with any office communication, eh?)
5. Bank online.  Banks like INGDirect and USAA offer complete online banking services.  Many banks and credit unions offer services online these days; if you qualify for membership through USAA you can even get insurance and investments through them...which leads me to the next point!
6. Consolidate your accounts!  Being able to access your checking, savings, home loan, auto loan, credit cards, and possibly other accounts through one financial institution can save you time and gas if you're still heading to a brick and mortar branch.  If you're using an online bank like USAA you don't even have to use any gas; any checks you need to deposit are scanned at home!  Another two for one whammy - bank from home, in your jammies, and you'll save time and gas!