How to save money on haircuts

December 15, 5:47 PMSF Personal Finance ExaminerSylvia DeFrance

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the SF Personal Finance Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Trimming, pardon the pun, all areas of the household budget seems needed these days and haircuts are no exception. 
Some experts categorize haircuts as discretionary spending but for most of us, it's a necessity.

No matter where you fall along this spectrum, there are ways to save on your family's haircare needs.

Here are some tried and true ideas you may want to consider:

1. Craigslist: Search for "haircut" in the search box on the left of the page.  There are plenty of stylists-in-training and looking to add to their portfolios.  Haircuts take place in a school or salon with instructors close at hand to monitor the cut.  The cost?  FREE  From someone who has done this before, I typically get a haircut that I would rate a 7 out of 10.  Not bad! 
2. Coupons: Chain salons such as Supercuts, Fantastic Sams, Great Clips and Cost Cutters offer coupons and various promotions.  Just follow the links and sign-up to receive the email promotions.  Don't forget to check the Examiner and your mailbox "junk mailers" for salon coupons. 
3. Visit New Salons:  New salons are looking for new clients and typically offer steep discounts on your first cut.
4. Go Longer Between Cuts:  Used to getting your haircut every 4-6 weeks?  Try stretching to 8 weeks if possible.
5. Trade Down:  Yes, slum it a little.  Times are tight.  If you can't afford the $70 haircut every 4-6 weeks, call your stylist and explain you will be there every 12-16 weeks until the economy picks back up.  Head to one of the less-expensive chain salons for your in-between cuts.  Your stylist will understand and may even offer to write-up notes for the in-between cutter or give you a few discounted cuts just to keep you as a regular.  In these lean times, having a regular customer for some money is better than no customers at all.
6. Cut the Kid's Hair:  Pickup the Conair 19-pc. Pro Haircut Kit from Target for under $15.   

If you need instructions on cutting hair, there are plenty of online videos for how to cut hair.  From kid's to graduated bob's and layers, video lives and thrives.

Here's a sample: