Trimming the Debt, One Head at a Time
Posted by michelle on Feb 23, 2012 in Eliminating Debt, Making Money | 17 comments
A few days ago, I took my own advice and outed myself to my closest friends and family about our financial situation. I didn’t want to live a lie anymore, pretending that everything was copacetic. Every time a friend or family member invited us anywhere, or wanted to catch up over lunch or pedicures, I would have to lie to them. My only other choice was to go out, spend money I didn’t have, and pay for it later.
So far, everyone has been very nice about it, offering advice and support. Yesterday, my dad did one better and actually offered to pay me for something I would have gladly done for free. I have been cutting my husband’s and children’s hair for years to save money, and my dad mentioned that he needed a haircut.
He told me, “The way I see it, I’m going to have to give someone 10 bucks to cut my hair, so it might as well be my daughter.”
“Really? Thanks, Dad! Are you sure? I’m not trained or anything, I just cut the boys’ hair to save money.”
“Listen, I’m not going anywhere fancy the next few weeks. I’ll be done working around 3. That work for you?”
“Sure! Oh, and I don’t have a barber cape. Sorry. We used to, but….it’s a long story.” Not wanting to throw my husband under the bus, I buttoned my lip about Jeff accidentally throwing away the cape and all my hair-cutting accessories in a moment of haste.
Promptly at 3:15 that afternoon, my dad bravely came over to my ghetto breakfast room salon for a trim. Since it’s over now, I can be honest and say that I was completely intimidated! I had cut my boys’ hair a hundred times, but I was really worried that I would mess up my dad’s haircut. Some people have really difficult hair! What do barbers and beauticians do when they come across a challenging coif? My dad even warned me that he had a difficult head of hair, and that it’s often looked “a little crazy” after haircuts in the past. In the past when that has happened, he said that it was usually better after washing it and applying a bunch of goop to make it lie flat. Now, I was seriously worried.
Thankfully, it turns out, all of that worrying was for naught as things went fairly well. My dad is one of my favorite people to talk to, and he seemed very happy with the haircut. When I was finished, he laid a $20 on the table and thanked me.
“Dad, that’s not a $10 bill.”
“I didn’t have any change,” he lied.
I didn’t argue or look for change in my own purse, but thanked him instead.
“Can you do my eyebrows, too?”
Looked like he was going to make me earn that 20 bucks after all! By this time, my 7 month old had started fussing, so I strapped her into the Bjorn baby carrier before tackling my dad’s salt-and-pepper brows. When finished, I realized where I got my bushy eyebrows and deep-set eyes. I also realized that I just made money for hanging out with my dad. Wow, I wonder if anyone else wants to hang out. I might start calling the neighbors. Hey, I do eyebrows too!
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- Carnival Of Financial Camaraderie #22 - My University Money - [...] #22 medianet_width='336';medianet_height='280';medianet_crid='372361776';BudgetingMichelle presents Trimming the Debt, One Head at a Time posted at See Debt Run, saying, Giving haircuts ...
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What a touching story! It is good that you were honest with them because it sounds like you will receive a lot of support. You are very fortunate to have such a loving and understanding family.
That sounds like fun! This might sound crazy but this is why I don’t tell people in my life about my blog – I’d hate for them to read the blog, then think they had to pay for things or find me work. I totally think it’s cool that your dad actually needed a hair cut and you could help him out, but I’d fear my mom, for instance, would just find things to get me to do so she could help me pay off my debt, even if she didn’t need any help with anything. Am I weird? Lol.
Really nice to see Michelle, always good to have the full support of your family,Your dad is one in a million, and It gave me a chuckle, as for you daisy, maybe your mum does not need help with anything, but if she Is cash positive and can afford it, what’s the problem with doing stuff that will help her out, make her life a little easier and she gets to spend time with you and you get a couple of extra dollars, it may also be nice for her to know that she is still having an active part in your life. As long as the price is fair all round. everyone is a winner
Thank you, Sicorra
I am grateful to have such generous, loving parents.
Daisy, I don’t think you’re weird for feeling that way. I think a lot of people are uncomfortable talking about their finances with friends and family. I think, if anything, I’m probably in the minority for not being embarrassed by it. I didn’t just tell my parents I’m in debt. I put my picture on a page proclaiming to the world that I suck at money. So no, you’re not weird, but jury’s out on me.
Neil, you are absolutely right! My dad is the best.
Great story!
Time with family is a wonderful thing, and if they’re willing to pay you for it then all the better!
It’s rough coming out to family/friends about your financial situation. One thing I’ve learned though is that far too many people lie about their finances and say “yes” to everybody.
They’re scared to tell the truth and to say “no” and that only leads to further financial disaster.
Eventually, you get used to telling friends/family “no” and they begin to expect it. I’d rather get judged though, instead of being financially irresponsible and hurting my family’s future.
Very nice story! Your dad is very nice. It’s great that you’re trying to save money, or even earn some extra by cutting hair. That used to be a quick way that some of the guys at college made some quick cash. $5 for a number 2 feathered up into the top. Of course my haircuts are pretty darn easy now, so my wife does those. Quick buzz and I’m done.
What a sweet story! Congrats on being honest about your situation with your loved ones! I’m sure this move will deepen most of those relationships.
I recently cut my husband’s hair for the first time. We were both pretty nervous but it turned out OK.
Loved your story. It’s really hard to be honest with your family about money. Even if you don’t have debt, it’s hard to talk about finances with loved ones. I think my parents were a little shocked when I told them that we put in an offer on a house. They were more shocked with they learned the price (thanks trulia! we weren’t going to tell them the asking price, ah the wonders of technology).
WorkSaveLive- To what you said about possibly being judged; just remember that those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter!
CultOfMoney- I wish my husband was as simple, but he just does not look good with a simple buzz cut. Some guys can get away with that, and some just cannot. (I’m not being mean! He agrees.) Also, my boys are very particular about how they want their hair, and it changes all the time! They sit in the chair and say things like “don’t make it too short, and leave a little bit in the front for me to spike up” or “can I have a mohawk this time?” I always do my best to oblige, but I did say “heck no!” to the mohawk request at the beginning of the school year. I kind of feel like their teachers might think they’re horrible if that’s the first impression.
Emily- That’s awesome…you will save so much money!
Kari- Darn technology!! Good luck with the move! I love the adventure of moving, but hate all the work and mess of it.
This is such a touching story. Your dad sounds like an awesome guy.
He definitely is!
Michelle,
Your story reminds me of our early years of marriage when we were trying to save money so went out and bought the the whole barber clipper set and the 1st haircut my wife gave to my son was a disaster and he heard about it at school so she took him to a hair stylist to get it looking better and she ended up having to buzz it. We were $150,000 in debt not including our mortgage and are now debt free thanks in part to Dave Ramsey. We have started a website called the Debt Free Squad to show people how we got out of debt so they can do the same. Keep trimming that debt. Fun article to read. Jeff
Jeff- thanks for rooting us on! I’ve heard of Dave Ramsey, but don’t know much about his philosophies. Will look into him and check out your page
Thanks.
What a great story! Your dad is a very understanding and a kind man. When I told my friends that I am not going to go our much and we are trying to pay off debt, somehow there was not much understanding. My parents were very understanding. Friends? Not so much!
Aloysa- I’m sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine any of my friends not being understanding about something like that. We are having friends over tonight, which is the only way we socialize these days! Game night! If you lived near us, we would invite you as well
I really like this story! It reminds me about the time when I was cutting my dad’s and grandpa’s hair and I used to make hair coloring (not sure if it’s correct in English) for my mom. We had our girls-talk, “gossips” time
I’m not on the inside of eyecare, but my good buddy is an optometrist so he always gives me the back door deals. For example, I haven’t purchased contact solution in over 3 years and he always tips me off on what contacts can be worn longer, so I’m always buying 6 month supplies and using them over a year. Not bad having an optometrist as a friend
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