Mom and Pop or Dollars and Cents?

No matter who you are or how much you make, you still want to save money when you shop. So at some point in your life, you’ve probably been presented with this quandary: mom and pop or dollars and cents? But what does that question mean exactly?

It’s really quite simple. Smaller, privately run and operated shops are often known as “mom and pop” stores. They tend to be community-based and personal, but they also tend to be expensive. Big chain department stores have the reputation of being cheap, but bad for the community. (Just think of all those small town protests against implementing certain mass chains.)

So we’re back to the original question. Do you save money or support small business? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. When all is said and done, it depends largely on your own financial situation.

If they can afford it, many people try to frequent small businesses as often as possible. But people should not be scared away from these stores assuming their prices are astronomically high. Are they more expensive? Yes. Are they unreasonable? No.

In fact, some people prefer smaller stores even without a sizable income, because they provide services such as 100% organic food.

But then again, smaller stores often don’t have the range of options available in larger retailers.

And so goes the argument. Just when one position looks persuasive and promising, another point makes you think otherwise.

So how do you decide? Always keep the golden rule of shopping in mind: do your research. Whether you’re in the market for an item or just browsing, find out what’s the highest quality, what’s the best price, and determine who you want to support with your money. Only after you’ve taken all these factors into consideration should you make your final purchase.

by Liz Herrin