Time is money, right? If your laptop and mobile gadgets have a dead battery when you need them, you're wasting time that could have been spent on-the-clock. And as a result, you're wasting money.

Today's mobile tech can be powered in many ways. Here are a few of my favorites.

Acrobat.com includes several free content creation tools that can help out in a pinch or even be a regular part of your workday. Most of the web-based apps are collaborative, and Adobe will even host your files, so both the application and documents can be accessed on any computer. It's a great touch if you bounce between machines and don't carry a USB drive.

Among the tools, Adobe Buzzword is a word processor and Adobe ConnectNow handles online meetings. Plus Adobe has just released its presentation tool, simple called, Presentations.

Mac OS X has long had the ability to create PDFs of any printable screen. (Mac fans, just choose Print, then click the PDF button.) Some Windows applications create PDFs as part of their functionality; that option is often in the File menu or an export command. But PCs normally have to rely on a paid version of Adobe Acrobat to create PDFs. Here's how to add that Mac-like PDF "printing" into Windows for free.

Download and install PDFCreator. Then, like on a Mac, choose to print a document. Instead of selecting your normal printer, choose PDFCreator. Click OK, then click Save.

You can enlist an outside company to audit your expenses, such as phone costs. But if you personally chart costs for everything, you'll maintain a better pulse on your business while saving costs of those auditors.

Even with a minimal level of bookkeeping, you probably already see where your big expenses originate. But you might not have cast a cost-cutting eye over those spreadsheets before. Look at every single expense, and devise ways to save on each. A few percent here and there can add up.

You can save office energy from common sense; turn off the lights, printers, and PCs when you go home. But other, more nuanced tips can help you save even more. From laptop and gadget battery use to hardware leeching energy even when off, here are some of my favorite ways to save energy and money.

Manage laptop and gadget batteries
Your laptops and portable devices likely run on Lithium Ion batteries, the current standard for rechargeables. But advice that had been good for previous battery technologies now differs with this current crop.

I rarely buy office gear at full price, thanks to sites like Dealnews. But when I'm feeling particularly miserly--and that's part of running a business, right?--nothing beats free. Your selection and quality can plummet when you spend nothing, but here's how to walk away with great finds.

Freecycle sets the standard for quality, free goods. Think of it as a Craigslist free section, but with a slightly higher bar of entry. I had to join a Yahoo Groups mailing list first, but I soon had access to local giveaways. You might find old computer hardware, but your best small business bets are to keep an eye out for office furniture, microwaves, and other items that seem to normally cost more than they're worth. Then, when you're finished with some of your hardware, post it back on the list to complete the cycle.

Many free, online resources can help answer your business questions. While some sites are skewed towards single-person startups, you can still find a community to help an established, larger business.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is densely packed with information. You can learn basics about writing a business plan, establishing a trademark, and managing business operation. You'll find ways to apply for government financial assistance, loans, and tips on applying for grants.

If your business has lost clients or needed to scale back, take action. Don't just wait for a rebound; use the moment to renegotiate terms with your suppliers and service providers. You might be surprised that many will be willing to cut you a break to keep your business... and keep you in business.

Call everyone. Contact your land and mobile phone companies, ISP, web host, and private courier. Get in touch with your office supplier, delivery company, and other contractors. Scrutinize every bill; especially if you're paying for ongoing service, such as a cable TV connection, ask those companies for a break.

However many people are in your business, mobile phone costs can eat a serious chunk of your budgets. Reign in fees with these tips and suggestions for deeper bill analysis.

Save On Directory Assistance
I can't think of the last time I dialed 411 on my phone, given all of the Internet-based ways to answer my queries for free. But if you're out and have to make that sort of call, do it with a different number; mobile companies often gouge for their assistance.

Spiceworks IT Desktop replaces your current, paid IT management software with a free administrative interface. Or--perhaps more likely--it offers robust management tools to companies that hadn't been able to afford products aimed at large businesses. Plus, its generally simple interface could work for tech-savvy workers without dedicated IT staff.

Spiceworks IT Desktop handles many IT tasks. It'll automatically recognize most network-connected computers to manage your inventory, plus you can manually add other hardware to its catalog. Help-desk tools let users file tickets, so you can track the progress and solutions to problems. Windows event monitoring identifies PC issues, including antivirus and Exchange Server status. Other monitors track bandwidth use, printer status, and other basics. You can also set up email alerts for any issues.

Verizon Wireless has announced that it will carry the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 mobile hotspot. Instead of needing individual broadband cards for your laptops--or bothering with tethering a mobile phone--this portable Wi-Fi router broadcasts a Verizon EV-DO data connection to five users. Best of all, ongoing subscriptions are optional; you could instead opt for a $15 day pass only when needed.

If you choose a two-year contract, the hardware will cost $100 after a rebate. 250MB of monthly content will cost $40, while a 5GB plan will cost $60.

One of your biggest per-employee infrastructure costs comes from money tied up in software licenses. If you add new people, you could cough up thousands of dollars right then. And that money you paid stops working for you as soon as you lose employees, as those licenses sit unused.

Depending on your software, you can address both issues by buying subscriptions, in bulk, choosing used licenses, or selling full licenses when no longer needed. Keep these options in mind, especially if you're scaling temporary workers.