Savvy Savings on Hair Care

I have to admit, I like to take care of my hair. Although I was cursed with a high forehead at birth, I have always had a nice, thick mane.

Now that I'm in my 40's, like most men my hair is a little thinner and a lot shorter, but I still get compliments on my hair. The funny thing is I spend next to nothing to take care of it.

I cringe when I see people spend $15-20 on one bottle of shampoo. I go to the local beauty supply shop...the place that supplies the local hair salons...and purchase a gallon jug of shampoo for about $8. My last one lasted me nearly two years. I pour the shampoo from the gallon jug into smaller, empty Suave bottles that I have already used. When I don't buy the gallon-jug shampoo, I buy Suave when it is "buy one, get one free" at the grocery store or pharmacy.

I used to get my hair cut at Mastercuts at the mall. I went once a month and paid about $16, with tip. I thought that was a pretty good deal, but not as good as the deal I have now. My wife cuts my hair. Cost...free, of course!

My wife has long hair, but when she does have it cut she goes to the local beauty college in our town. There, students cut her hair under the watchful eye of the instructor. She paid $5 for a haircut that would cost her about $40 anywhere else. Men can also get their hair cut at the beauty college. I should also mention my wife got a pedicure at the beauty school, and she paid $10. Elsewhere, she would have paid about $30.

I used to use gel on my hair, but I now use something called hair glue or hair paste, which makes it look a lot thicker than it actually is. I usually find this at a dollar store, but if I can't find it there I can usually get it at Walmart for less than $4. Similar products at the salon cost more than $20.

I figure between shampoo and my styling products, I probably spend less than $20 a year on my hair...far less than most men spend on one haircut. I work as a professional, and my hair looks just as good, if not better, than that of other men I meet during the course of doing my job. I could spend more, I suppose...but why?

You can be stylish...AND frugal!