Money has been tight for consumers and business owners alike this year. Many proprietors are searching for affordable small business internet and other essentials that won’t break their budget heading into 2026.
According to a November 2025 Bank of America report, 77% of small and midsize business owners say their costs have increased over the past 12 months, and 39% plan to reevaluate their cash flow and spending for the year ahead. Inflation, tariff policy, and interest rates are among the top concerns driving decisions.
Luckily, tighter budgets don’t necessarily have to mean stagnant growth. In the same report, 74% of business owners shared they believe their revenue will increase in the next year, and 59% plan to expand their business. It’s not just blind optimism driving their outlook — it’s because small business owners are resilient, and they’re entering next year with intentional strategies to grow smarter while remaining budget-conscious.
Here’s how two small business owners are watching costs and reallocating budgets where possible, ensuring every dollar spent is invested in a successful 2026.
Focusing on the costs that really matter
Amanda Hofman is the cofounder of Go To Market, an NYC-based merch studio that helps brands turn swag into strategy by building custom, print-on-demand online storefronts. She manages the delicate balance of increasing spending now to grow their team, in anticipation of future revenue growth.
She says doing this successfully as a business owner is often less about cost cutting and more about mindful spending.
That starts with making sure the core needs of your business operations are in order, such as the internet, which Hofman describes as “the lifeblood of your company.” She’s been using Spectrum at home for years and appreciates the seamless connectivity and ability to save by bundling, which reduces her overhead.
With Spectrum Business’s deals and offers, business owners can keep these costs even lower with one of the best internet providers of 2026. “When the things running in the background are working, you don’t need to pay attention to them, which is the greatest gift,” shares Hofman.
With the money left for growth investments, she tries to stay laser-focused on things that have proven to grow her bottom line or make her life easier, rather than throwing her money at every new thing.
“People are selling absolutely everything to grow your business; it’s easy to spread your money around,” Hofman explains. “If you want to be conscious of your budget and build your profit margin, it’s good to stay focused.”
Remembering that time is a cost, too
Sara McCarthy, founder of One Eleven Creative, a NYC-based copy agency specializing in copywriting and concept development, is in the midst of going from a solo act to a full-blown agency. She notes an important lesson for her has been that time is a cost, too — often her most expensive one.
“Having locked-in pricing with Spectrum takes one anxiety off my plate. No surprise fees. No weird bill spikes. It’s one of the few ‘set it and forget it’ expenses that’s actually worth it. And when I free up budget, I reinvest in people and tools that buy back my time,” she shares. And with guaranteed pricing for up to three years from Spectrum Business, businesses like McCarthy’s can support their scaling operations.
Buying back time could also look like signing up for a new CRM tool or hiring a new contractor. McCarthy recently brought on a person to take over her cold outreach to new clients. “If a cost frees me up to do higher-value work or just breathe, it’s worth it,” she adds.
Investing in people over almost anything else
Both business owners agreed that investing in people usually gives them the highest ROI. That could be investing in the team that surrounds you, by hiring more or upping the hours of existing contractors. “The real value in our business is our team,” says Hofman. “Every dollar that goes into building our team and making it strong and comprehensive is a dollar well spent.”
This could also look like spending to surround yourself with a strong network. “I’m investing in high-impact spaces: attending events, joining networks,” shares McCarthy. And even if you’re a business owner in a more rural or remote area, Spectrum Business’ expanded 5G coverage can help you to build these relationships remotely.
It’s also extremely important to invest in service providers where real people will show up to support you when it matters most. Spectrum Business extends its industry-leading Customer Commitment to small business customers, offers round-the-clock, US-based customer support, and has the MySpectrum app, the highest-rated support app in the US among all national telecommunications providers.1 With a reliable partner keeping your core operations running smoothly, you and your team can focus on the work that will help you grow your business.
This post was created by Insider Studios with Spectrum Business.
1 iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) average ratings as of September 2, 2025. Apps must have at least 150k reviews through combination of iOS & Android store reviews as of September 2, 2025.
