A short time ago I went to get my hair cut at a friend’s salon and learned the cost of “free”. Due to a bartering agreement it was a free cut. I have a regular stylist who is awesome! (see: Gea @ Sweet Salon in Ocean Beach, CA) Unfortunately, I have been super busy in an MBA program and all over California (and a trip to DC) chasing my flight attendant girlfriend. So I head over to this other place close by on my lunch and show just a tad early. Older lady gets there first and puts her purse in the only other chair, not wanting to put it on the ground, so I stand. the stylist does this lady’s color and I wait half an hour. I did get a decent cut, but still had to trim a bit hen I got home. Cost: looking like a slacker at work for taking a long lunch and deciding to get another haircut to clean up after the first. Gea is very reasonable, and is such a rad person that just chatting with her renews faith in humanity. Lesson: pay the money, drive the distance, the soul needs to be in Ocean Beach regularly!
The reason I am absolutely dancing right now is because I just got a call from my friend Meghan who owns a Liberty Tax franchise. I keep meaning to take my taxes to her, but end up doing it myself the day before. Her and her husband were over for St. Patrick’s day festivities and I was able to turn over all the documentation. the past two years since I got this new job (and tax bracket) I have paid about $600 a year. She just called and said I was only going to get $600 this year! Because she is a pro and knows more about tax law, she found a couple things I never even knew about! Cost: $60. Savings: $1200 (remember, $600 usually + $600 refund). The cost of “free” is higher than you would believe! Solution: don’t be cheap, pay the people who create value in your life and reap the rewards!