SmallBusinessNewz

In the U.S. saving money has never been more important. It's an issue that small business owners are struggling with every day as the economy looks to only get worse before it gets better.

500 small business owners participated in a recent survey commissioned by ING's ShareBuilder 401k, and of that 500:

- 63% say are either very- or extremely-concerned about the future of the economy

- 57% see developing new business as their number-one challenge through the remainder of the year and "access to cash" ranked number-two at 18%

- 56% are now saving less money for personal and 53% are saving less for retirement savings compared to a year ago

- 40% see the current financial state of their business as worse than a year ago

"A lot of small businesses are struggling to cover their monthly expenses and still have something left to put into savings," said Stuart Robertson, general manager of ShareBuilder 401k. "Before this down economy set-in, the number of small businesses making regular contributions to their savings plan was actually on the rise. Today we're beginning to see a step backwards."

Some are even tapping into their retirement funds, which is definitely not something anybody wants to do.

"Raiding your retirement should always be a last resort," said Robertson. "But, given the tough access to cash and credit -- a growing concern of 23 percent of survey respondents -- some small business owners have made that difficult choice."

Still there are ways out there that small businesses can save money, some of which we have talked about before at SmallBusinessNewz, so in these desperate times, why not look back over a few past articles on the matter:

- A Package Deal: Make and Save Money (Video)

- Cutting Cost Tips Every Small Business Owner Should Know

- Flexibility for Employees Could Mean Money Saved

- How Much Money are you Throwing Away on Wasted Time?

- Save Money By Supporting Telecommuters

Of course, your customers are also looking to save some money, so it can also pay for you to provide them with ways to do so, and in turn, you may actually make more money off of them.