Spend, Spend, Spend:
5 reasons to Go Against the Grain!

By Cyndy Robinson

Are you planning a trip or a large purchase, currently weighing the positives and negatives to your decision? Do your professional obligations get in the way of rewarding yourself with something that you would really like to have or do? If you said yes, then maybe you should rethink your strategy. It truly is about how we manage our work-life balance. Working too much can take a toll, and if you don't take a break, you find yourself crashing. Not enough work, or boredom finds us with too much time on our hands to consider our worth, questioning our abilities.

If our spending is attached to our self-esteem, it reflects who we think we are and our self image. Do you find that you have adopted a frugal behaviour relating to the current economic state? Is this congruent with your income? Are you squirreling away your dough? Is this a symptom of your reality? take a look at your status. If you have coasted through the downturn unscathed from financial woe, then spend a bit of that green you've been tucking away. Your local economy and fellow business owners will thank you for it. Don't be afraid to spend.

Please remember to observe a very important point during this phase. Moving forward with a more aggressive plan is wise if you are confident and sure of the results of such an attempt. Educate yourself with the risks involved. Ensure that you are well grounded in your financial position before you set your spending strategy into action.

5 REASONS TO SPEND

Reason 1: Seizing Opportunity
Your competition may be at their weakest during tough economic times. Take this opportunity to trump them and advance your market position. It may open up an entirely new market for you, or expand what you already have. Either way, it could increase your sales.

Reason 2: Good Timing
Have you been waiting to buy a vehicle, or better yet, another product line or business? Educate yourself with current offers and find out what is available. You may be going through a growth phase while many are seeing reductions, so take advantage of this situation. The deals are fast, furious and logically hard to resist, so consider them with your head and your heart.

Reason 3: Going with Your Instincts
Is something egging you on to make a large purchase? Are you up at night thinking about doing something big? The opportunity to negotiate a great deal is knocking on your door. Ask them in and talk. You may not see this offer come around again. If you are on solid financial ground, consider the offer and go with your gut feeling. It could give you an edge up on the competition.

Reason 4: Foster and Create Local Relationships
Infuse the local market with your spending capital. Book your vacation with the travel agent around the corner. Purchase your new fleet addition from the local dealership. Dedicate an evening at the spa for your employees with your personal massage therapist. You can spend, enjoy, and reap the benefits of a tax write-off too.

Reason 5: Mentoring Another Business
Is there someone running a business that you wish to help out? You can do this by marketing their product in your location, or by using their services at your events. Do you wish to mentor a young entrepreneur as they introduce themselves into the business world? Hire them and promote them when you can. Not only will this help them grow during their most trying periods, it will reflect on you in a positive light as a community support for other business people.

Have fun as you move forward and grow. If you are not in the position to grow, watch those who are. See what decisions they make in tough times and ask them for advice. This type of mentoring and relationship building could take you to places you may not have previously considered, and open doors into new markets.