Big purchases feel exciting—until they don't. A new MacBook, a $3,000 coaching program, or that "game-changing" software build can look like the smartest move for your business... until six months later when you're staring at your cash flow wondering what happened. In this episode, I'm breaking down what actually counts as a big investment, why these decisions feel so emotionally charged, and how to think about them strategically instead of letting urgency, fear, or comparison drive your spending. I walk you through the real psychology behind big business purchases, the hidden costs no one talks about, and the difference between investments that strengthen your business versus emotional band-aids that drain your cash flow. You'll leave this episode with a framework for evaluating big purchases, clarity on what makes an investment actually worth it, and the confidence to make smarter decisions about where your money goes. In this episode, I cover: What actually counts as a "big investment"—it's not just the dollar amount, but whether it changes your monthly cash commitments, reduces your flexibility, and whether you feel the decision in your body Why big purchases are emotionally charged—they're rarely just financial decisions; they're wrapped up in identity, fear of being left behind, missing the "next level," and urgency that replaces clarity The stories we tell ourselves—"this will fix everything" vs. "if I don't do this, I'm failing"—and why neither question actually helps you make a strategic choice Tax benefits don't equal affordability—why "it's a write-off" logic often overrides cash reality, especially for smaller creative businesses where monthly cash flow matters more than year-end deductions The hidden costs of big purchases—monthly payments lock you into decisions made by a past version of yourself, reduce your room to pivot, shrink your margin for mistakes, and limit your ability to respond to slow months What good big investments have in common—they solve clearly defined problems, support something that already exists in your business, and don't rely on a future version of you to magically make them work Why flexibility is an asset, not a luxury—having cash reserves gives you the ability to respond to opportunities, slow months, and strategic shifts without panic or desperation If you've been tempted by a big purchase and aren't sure if it's the right move—or if you're six months past an investment and wondering if it was worth it—this episode will help you think through big spending decisions with strategy instead of emotion. 🎧 Hit play now and learn how to evaluate big investments so you protect your cash flow, build strategically, and stop letting urgency make financial decisions for you. Links & Resources Website: https://firestormfinance.com/Podcast Home: https://firestormfinance.com/podcast/Book a Discovery Call: https://firestormfinance.com/contact Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-minds-smart-money-finance-business-tips-for/id1751025388 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2m2SRDIAEjeWSXOgKS4Ff4 Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance Threads: https://www.threads.com/@firestormfinance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firestormfinance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirestormFinance Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/ Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 – Why big business purchases feel so emotionally charged 02:42 – What actually counts as a big investment (it's not just the dollar amount) 04:42 – The stories we tell ourselves: "this will fix everything" vs. "I'm failing" 08:01 – Tax write-offs don't equal affordability 09:28 – The hidden costs of big purchases no one talks about 10:38 – What good investments have in common