Saving $$$ one overpriced project at a time

I’ve been on a money saving kick lately. The Sweet Boy and I are traveling to two concerts this summer in addition to a planned trip to Austin to get my Texas fix for the year. Things like that take money and since I bring home a non-profit paycheck, things like that also take planning.

It seems to me that it’s only when I’m saving money that I realize how crazy expensive some things are.

Like going to Mellow Mushroom for pizza. That’s crazy expensive.

Buying propane for the grill that has finally been unveiled for the first time since last summer. That’s crazy expensive.

Fresh mozzarella for that amazing baked ziti you cook so you can sit down to some reruns of The Sopranos with a bowl full of happy in front of you. That’s crazy expensive.

Getting your long hair cut and styled at a salon you trust. That’s crazy expensive.

Since I’m not an expert pizza crust maker, nor do I source my own propane gas or have yet to make my own cheese, I can only solve one of the above problems.

I cut my own hair.

I’m lucky, because I currently have long hair, and it’s somewhat straight on its own, so it’s forgiving if I accidentally cut a hair too much off (HAH… a hair… get it? Yeah, okay, that wasn’t completely hilarious). I’m sure if I had shorter hair, I might be more cautious, but desperate times call for desperate measures and that trip to austin (and the margaritas I’m going to consume while there) aren’t going to pay for themselves.

Every time I cut my own hair, I’m saving about $50. that’s a lot of margaritas… or a tank of gas. So, without further ado, here’s how I do it.

Supplies include fairly sharp scissors, good pony tail holder (don’t use one that is super stretched and doesn’t hold well), a mirror to check your work, a trash can to catch the hair in, something to straighten your hair with (iron or hair dryer) and nerves of steel!

First, take a before picture so you can post it to Facebook and impress the heck out of your friends (after all, it doesn’t happen unless it happened on Facebook, right?).

Next, straighten your hair. I use a flat iron for this but you could blow dry it straight if you’re patient.

Then, flip your head over and brush all of your hair forward to make a pony tail at the front of your hair line. I put mine slightly to the side of center because that’s where I part my hair. If you part down the middle, put the pony tail in the middle.

Next, take another picture and post it to Facebook because it’s fun.

Now, with your face looking towards the ground pull your ponytail parallel to the ground with your index and middle fingers (straight out from your forehead). Position your fingers where you want to make the cut and go for it. Chop that sucker off. I did this in 2 inch increments just to be safe. I didn’t lose a lot of length, but started to notice layers forming between each cut. I HIGHLY recommend taking the ponytail out between cuts to check your work.

Once you have the length of layers you desire, you’re finished. I wanted shorter side swept bangs than this method gave me, so I found a tutorial on line for trimming those guys up.

Viola.

A free, and easy hair cut to maintain a long, layered style without shelling out the big bucks.

don’t trust me? Here’ s a link to another tutorial of the same method.

Let me know if you try this technique or if you have another one that you prefer. I’d love to hear what works for you.

Disclaimer: I don’t know if this works for people with curly hair… i.e. please don’t blame me if you have curly hair, try this, and end up looking like Helen Bonham Carter in Fight Club (I love her in that, by the way, but I love her in everything, so yeah).

Disclaimer #2: Ignore my well worn t-shirt. I was cutting my own hair, not trying to win a beauty pageant. I’m guessing you’re wearing faded yoga pants while reading this, so I won’t judge you if you don’t judge me.