1. Loan guarantees and startup info from the Small Business Administration. When it comes to financing your business, there are options. You could beg family and friends for a loan. You could load up your credit cards with the startup expenses, which is risky at best. Or you could do it the way I did: finance slowly and solidly, without building up any debt or getting any outside investors.If the latter is not an option, before you see your local banker for a loan, browse to the Small Business Administration Web site (www.sba.gov). This agency has a huge number of services. Its menu of financing options seems endless. It has funding programs for startups, companies damaged by defense cutbacks and those interested in exporting, among others.The SBA provides loan guarantees, not the loans themselves. If you fail to repay the money you get from a bank, the SBA covers it. That way, banks are willing to talk to small businesses that otherwise could not get funds. Of course, the SBA isn't going to guarantee just anyone. You need a decent business plan and credit rating.A small business is not for everyone. If you're thinking about starting a business, try the SBA's quizzes and guidelines. These interactive quizzes make you think through your motivations, strengths and weaknesses. You might not always like what you see there. But if you answer the questions honestly, you will know if you're cut out for business ownership.The quizzes do another important thing: They help you focus on your business. The SBA wants you to think about competitors, demand and whether you can produce a quality product. What about prices, marketing and location? Thought about parking? Getting a grip on all this can be tedious. But if you slog through it diligently, you'll have a much better chance of success.At the SBA site, you'll also find links to state agencies, a database where small businesses can register for government contracts and databases for government and non-government contracts. The agency has regional offices everywhere, but you can get off to a fast start on the Web.

2. Shipping materials and information from the United States Postal Service. If you have ever wondered why many small businesses ship using the United States Postal Service, it's not just because its rates can be cheaper than overnight services. If you ask, the USPS will send you boxes in all shapes and sizes, packing tape and even preprinted labels stamped with your business address — for free. Order yours and learn more at the USPS Supplies site at http://shop.usps.com.As they say on late-night television commercials, "But wait, there's more!" Believe it or not, the USPS has a lot of information for small businesses. At the USPS home page, click "Grow Your Business."If you are interested in direct-mail marketing, the USPS has extensive information online. It walks you through the theory of direct mail, and provides links to private providers. If you want to do your own mailing pieces, templates are provided by the USPS and private parties. All are free.Of course, some businesspeople don't know the first thing about direct-mail marketing. For them, the Postal Service and private organizations hold seminars. Dozens are scheduled around the nation. They cost $49, and last four-and-a-half hours.If you just need information on rates, the USPS has that, too. The "Business Mail 101" link will lead you to everything you need to know about bulk mailing. The Postal Service also explains classes of mail and various rates.

3. Tax calendar and workshops on CD from the Internal Revenue Service. The agency we all love to hate, the IRS, has a few freebies to help. For starters, the Small Business Tax Calendar includes information on various business issues and instructions and options for filing. (Do a search from the IRS home page at www.irs.gov for "Tax Calendar.")Deadlines for various filings are listed in the calendar. The calendar is available online and on CD. Order the CD; it's free.The IRS also offers an introduction to federal taxes for new businesspeople. It is also available on a free CD. Building on that, the IRS has small-business workshops available on a free CD. Or, if you prefer, you can watch the video directly on the IRS site.Most businesses need an Employer Identification Number, also known as a federal tax identification number. For example, you'll need this to avoid paying a sales tax on goods that you will resell. If you buy a business, you cannot inherit the previous owner's number. You must get your own. The IRS explains the Employer Identification Number on its site, but is not yet able to take an application over the Internet.

4. Posters and wages and benefits info from the U.S. Department of Labor. Did you know that the federal government requires the display of a number of posters at your workplace? There are many companies that sell these posters. But why pay for them? You can get them for free from the Department of Labor at www.dol.gov.The DOL site Advisor steps you through the process, asking a number of questions. Based on the type of business and number of employees you have, it tells you which posters you need. It also suggests further reading on other issues, such as offering equal employment opportunities.In addition to posters, the Advisor provides valuable information about retirement and health benefits, wage and hour questions, the Drug-Free Compliance Act, employing veterans and workplace health and safety.The Advisor is simple to use. It can be tedious at times, because you must wade through boilerplate, disclaimers and questions. People using slower dial-up modems will need patience.The DOL site also provides average wages for a variety of positions. That's helpful if you're doing some hiring but aren't sure what to pay. On the DOL home page, under Find It, click Employers. For an even more detailed breakdown of wages by region and occupation, visit the DOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics site (www.bls.gov).

5. Business advice from SCORE. I visited a local Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) office many moons ago. I met with a retired manufacturing plant president who quizzed me about my business plan. It was very helpful.SCORE (www.score.org) isn't a government organization, but it works closely with the Small Business Administration. It describes itself as "counselors to America's small businesses."This organization is made up of business owners and executives. Despite its name, some are still on the job. Its services are free; members are standing by now, waiting to hear from you.SCORE has offices in virtually every community. You might want to make your first contact face-to-face. But SCORE also advises by e-mail. Members also provide workshops for entrepreneurs. Counseling is free; a small fee is levied for workshops.

6. Contractor registration through the Central Contractor Registration. We've all heard the stories about the government paying ridiculous sums for products and services. In order to do business with the Departments of Transportation, Defense or Treasury or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, you have to register.The Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov) provides a free handbook with lengthy descriptions of what's needed. Be prepared to spend some time with this extensive handbook.That said, you can probably take care of your registration online. If you run into snags, the CCR has telephone help available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.