Why can’t Dave Ramsey understand that having hair costs money?

So we all know that Jason and I have been hopelessly and painfully devoted to Dave Ramsey’s Live Miserably program for the past year. And don’t get me wrong, it has totally paid off. It’s amazing how much money you can save when you don’t go anywhere, buy anything, or incorporate any happiness into your lifestyle.

I got my hair cut tonight. Like all other expenses, we have a hair budget for me. I think it’s something like $17 a month, and that has to cover all products and thrice yearly hair cuts. As many of you know, my blond comes from a bottle, purchased with a coupon and frantically applied in the privacy of my own bathroom. I’ve been doing this for the past six years, only getting it professionally “fixed” once or twice a year, when/if I can afford it–this is code for “if he let’s me”.

See, I like to think I’m the boss of my life. I stomp around, make unimportant decisions about our diets, wall color, and salad dressing choice, but when push comes to shove, he’s my king. I like this, I approve of this, when Jason gets all bossy (which doesn’t happen very often) it’s sexy. Usually.

But not tonight. Tonight I had to fight for a leg of the pants.

When I’m pregnant, strange things happen to my body. Not only does it stretch and swell in frightening and rather unattractive places, but my pigment changes. Five minutes in the sun and I’m burned, and five hours of bleach and my hair turns orange. That’s right, my hair get’s all pregnant on me and I can’t seem to make it work right.

And you know it’s bad when your hair girl grimaces and has to shield her eyes from the brass. So, like a wise woman who has to be on television this month, I decided that there is only one solution: I need to get my hair professionally colored. That’s right, I’m going to pay actual money so I can feel semi-attractive. Cause we all know, you can either be fat, or have bad hair, but when it comes to television, you can’t do both.

And when I gently explained it to my ever loving king tonight? Like every other Dave Ramsey miser out there, all he could see were the dollar signs. Oh, he’ll let me do it, but he’ll mumble unsupportive, budget-conscious garble every time I walk by. Things like, “It just makes me sick…” and “Such a waste of money…” Next thing you know he’ll suggest I start shaving my head to save us money. ย You just know Dave Ramsey loves bald guys because they’re so inexpensive to keep.

Well guess what, buddy, you want to talk about sick? TRY BEING PREGNANT AND HAVING BAD HAIR. Trust me, it’s enough to make me lose my lunch most days.


Comments

  1. Oh I feel ya. We’re poor college students, (my hubby is in his first year of law school) I’m pregnant, and he just read Dave Ramsey. Talk about a bad combination. We’ve had our fair share of arguments over this very thing. He first off doesn’t get it that girls need their hair done. It’s just a fact of life. So finally I couldn’t take it anymore and I did the unthinkable…made an unauthorized hair appointment just this week. It felt great and I’ll probably do it again. Take that Dave Ramsey! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Before my husband and I married, I made it clear to him that he will never, EVER tell me how to spend money. He promised he wouldn’t, and during the 20 years we’ve been married, he’s kept his word. I also don’t tell him how to spend money. We would never be able to make it on the Ramsey plan. I don’t think I could stand having to account for every penny I spend. And I consider hair care a staple, right up there with food and electricity. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Oh, girl, you need to add pay pal to your side bar. Cause this is a worthy cause.
    And Dave Ramsey has completely changed my husband, too. Still haven’t decided whether or not I like it, I just know he is a different man!

  4. Bad hair = ornery woman.

    Mr. Ramsey must have forgotten that essential equation.

    Get it done.

  5. I have the advice to solve this problem for you.

    Be RICH!

    The End

  6. I’ve been thinking about you and your sexy hair lately and thinking that I need to take a few tips from you. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’ll have to try and pin you down sometime.

    I’ve recently had to demand this same treatment. I need a professional color. Badly. I found a gray hair! The f irst one!

  7. Oh man, I hate a budget when you just really NEED something or you’re gonna go NUTSO! I’m glad you’re getting your hair done, I hope Jason is smart and doesn’t say anything, you never know how a pregnant women can snap until you push her a little! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Your hair care sounds alarmingly like mine, except the budget for mine comes out of my food allowance. I have since discovered the Paul Mitchell school. Fantastic hair cuts for $8. Coloring for $20-$25. I have never had my hair colored by them, but I’m considering it. My hair goes RED when I’m pregnant. I dyed it twice during pregnancy, then again just before having the baby.

    “Itโ€™s amazing how much money you can save when you donโ€™t go anywhere, buy anything, or incorporate any happiness into your lifestyle.” Hilarious and true!

  9. You’re a good woman, Annie

  10. I wish I had a witty comment to leave–your post made me laugh and laugh–but as a teacher with five kids, I really relate to the whole not-having-money for things that are really important but not quite necessities. I feel you. Good luck. Fwiw, Dave Ramsey’s a great guy but I think a husband’s first duty is always to try to make sure his wife feels happy with things like her hair, etc., within reason. I don’t think that’s a small thing at all. Living on rice and beans is one thing, that’s quite another.

  11. Shawneen Liljenquist says:

    LOL..My husband shaves his head because he can’t stand spending money on it, and somehow, has convinced me to cut my own hair. Its long so I don’t think anyone really notices when my layers are a bit uneven. Hopefully. Im Margarets sister-in-law by the way.

  12. When I met you last night I knew I loved you for a reason. We have been Dave Ramseying it for about 2 years now. Absurd amounts of money has been paid off. And we are about 1 year from debt freedom.

  13. I may just be in here all day. You have sucked me in and now I can’t step away! This is exactly why I don’t Do the whole Dave Ramsey thing. My hair needs to be done every six weeks. And honestly that is stretching it. Luckily my husband is bald and very inexpensive to keep hahaha!

  14. Honey–didn’t I teach you about forgivness being easier to get than permission?