“90 Days, Same as Cash!” the advertisement screams from the newspaper ads. What home business owner doesn’t like a bargain? And don’t we all want that mahogany, three-sided, corner desk with matching mahogany and black leather sofa for the office? Home office aesthetics are incredibly important to productivity, as most home office workers have discovered. Often the right color walls can create just the right ambiance. But what should you do to create that mood? And how much should you spend?
First and foremost, remember the mantra of successful home business: purchase only what you can afford for the time. Sure, we’d all like the best of the best to create the perfect atmosphere, but a leather sofa loses its sheen when we’re paying the credit card bill for the next year thanks to our spending spree at Office Depot. If you really like a particular set of furniture, office chair, or desk, then save up for it and buy it with cash. Ironically, many stores are willing to work with you when you come in with a roll of Benjamins instead of a Mastercard. The plastic means far less to them than cash, and they will often be willing to throw in...