Home businesses can save on initial telephone costs by using their residential phone lines. If you think you may need to get a second line, you can try it out by getting a second residential line which is less expensive to install and maintain than a business line. Then if you want to convert it to a business line in the future, the changeover fee will be less than a new business installation fee. Get a fax machine that allows you the flexibility to program when you want to send your faxes. Try to send your fax after business hours if you are sending it long distance so that the rates will be lower.
Auctions are good places to go for used equipment.
Just make sure you check it out before you buy and have a budget in mind before you start bidding. If auctions aren't your thing, many companies specialize in selling used or refurbished equipment. Check out the models in Consumer Reports. Try out shareware or freeware before buying a really expensive commercial program. Most of these programs work just as well as the commercial programs for a lot less.