Convenience Is Key, but Price Matters

It was time. The family dog couldn't take it any more and was experiencing the dog days of summer in May thanks to his scruffy coat. Magellan (Gelly) is a lhasa apso. It's awesome that he doesn't shed but his fur grows as fast or faster than human hair. He's been a great dog - a stray many years ago who now puts up with a lot as you can see.

I tried to be his groomer but the little guy just won't sit still for me. We both ended up the worse for wear. There are probably eight to 10 groomers within three miles of my house. They all charge more than a woman's haircut in the area - and they all appear to be busy.

It's what the market will bear. However, not my bank account. I drive about 12 miles to go to a groomer that is one-third the cost of those in my neighborhood.  A lot less than the gas I spend to get there. I do all kinds of things to support my neighborhood economy - farmer's market, coffee shop, gym, restaurants, volunteer work - but some things just have to give.

My kids and I make it an outing on "Gelly day" by going out to lunch while waiting for the "hair" cut. I was chatting with a neighbor this morning who also gets her dog groomed and found out she drives about 15 miles or so to get a lower price for a groomer. (This is far when you live in an urban area right outside of D.C.)

Since I've lived in my neighborhood it's gone from being an up-and-coming area to a well-heeled it's-arrived area. It's a super place and loves it's small businesses and I love that.

But what happens when a neighborhood gets something of a split personality - high incomes versus low incomes? Are businesses in tune with that? I hope some small firms ask themselves if it always makes sense to go for the gold or to try to be more inclusive.

I'm glad I'm helping out another region's economy but I wish I didn't get priced out of my own neighborhood.