Haircuts are one of those little expenses that never go away. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or a parent juggling family budgets, chances are you’re sitting in a salon chair every few weeks. In the U.S., the average haircut costs anywhere from $18 to $40, depending on the chain and location. That may not sound like much, but when you multiply it by 12 visits a year (or 4 family members), the numbers start to add up fast.
The good news? You don’t need to pay full price every single time. By using smart strategies and a little creativity, you can save a serious amount of money on haircuts without sacrificing style. Here are 10 proven tips that will keep your hair looking sharp while keeping your wallet happy.
1. Use Coupons and Promo Codes
This one’s a no-brainer. Haircut chains like Great Clips, Supercuts, Sport Clips, and Cost Cutters regularly release coupons to attract customers. These coupons come in many forms:
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Dollar-off coupons like $5 or $10 off a haircut.
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Special deals such as $6.99 or $7.99 haircut sales.
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Printable coupons you can bring to the salon.
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Online promo codes for app or web bookings.
👉 Pro Tip: Bookmark trusted sites like HaircutCoupon.com so you can quickly grab the latest offers before heading to the salon. Even a single coupon per visit can save you $60–$100 a year.
2. Join Loyalty Programs
Many haircut chains reward regular customers through loyalty programs. For example:
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The Supercuts app sometimes gives discounts after a few visits.
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Great Clips allows you to check in online and sometimes provides exclusive deals.
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Local barbershops may offer a punch card system – “Get your 10th haircut free.”
These programs don’t require much effort, but they pay off in the long run.
3. Ask About Student, Senior, or Military Discounts
Don’t be shy about asking. Many salons across the U.S. offer special discounts that aren’t always advertised. Common ones include:
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Student discounts with a valid ID.
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Senior discounts for people over 55 or 60, usually on weekdays.
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Military discounts to thank service members.
Even if it’s just $2 or $3 off, over time those savings really add up.
4. Schedule Haircuts During Off-Peak Hours
Salons, like restaurants, have busy times and slow times. While weekends and evenings are the busiest, midweek mornings are often quiet. To fill those slots, some salons offer weekday specials.
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Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days.
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Mid-morning (10 AM to 12 PM) is a sweet spot.
It’s like “happy hour” for haircuts – same service, smaller price tag.
5. Stretch Out the Time Between Haircuts
If you normally get your haircut every 4 weeks, try stretching it to 6 weeks. That small adjustment reduces your yearly visits from 13 to 9.
👉 Let’s do the math: At $20 per cut, that’s $80 saved annually per person. For a family of four, that’s more than $300 saved.
A little patience with your hair growth equals big savings.
6. Visit Beauty Schools or Training Salons
Cosmetology schools and barber training centers need real clients for their students to practice on. Because of this, they often charge very low prices – sometimes just $5 to $10 per haircut, or even free on special training days.
Don’t worry, these students are supervised by licensed professionals, so you’ll still walk out with a decent cut. It’s one of the best-kept secrets for saving money on grooming.
7. Learn to Do Basic Trims at Home
Not everyone wants to cut their own hair, but small touch-ups at home can reduce the number of salon visits.
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Buy a reliable hair clipper kit (usually $25–$40).
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Use YouTube tutorials for basic trims.
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Focus on simple maintenance like beard shaping, bangs, or cleaning up the neckline.
Even trimming at home once or twice a year means fewer full-price salon trips.
8. Check Local Deals & Apps
In the digital age, deals are everywhere if you know where to look. Apps like Groupon frequently list haircut discounts, and local salons often advertise promotions on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Maps.
You might find:
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50% off first-time customer cuts.
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Haircut + shampoo + style bundles for the price of a regular cut.
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Family packages for multiple people.
Always do a quick online search before walking into any salon.
9. Share Coupons With Family
Some coupons are designed for one use, but many can be shared. If you’re a parent, plan haircuts together for you and your kids. A single $5 off coupon used for four people saves you $20 in one trip.
It’s like bulk shopping for haircuts – smart and efficient.
10. Compare Prices Across Chains and Barbers
Not all haircut places charge the same. Take a little time to compare prices:
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Great Clips: usually $15–20
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Supercuts: $18–25
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Sport Clips: $20–28 (with shampoo and extras)
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Local barbers: sometimes as low as $12–15
By choosing wisely, you could save $5 or more each visit without even needing a coupon.
Bonus Tip – Ask for a Simple Trim
If you don’t need a full restyle, ask for just a trim. Some salons charge less for a “clean-up” than for a full haircut. It’s a subtle but effective way to cut costs.
Why These Tips Really Work
Haircuts might seem like a small expense, but they add up over time. Saving $5 per haircut = $65 per year per person. For families, that quickly turns into hundreds of dollars saved annually.
And unlike skipping luxuries, saving on haircuts doesn’t mean you have to compromise on looking good. It’s about being smart and strategic with your spending.
Final Thoughts
Haircuts are a routine part of life, but overspending on them doesn’t have to be. With coupons, loyalty programs, beauty schools, and timing your visits wisely, you can easily keep your grooming costs under control.
These 10 proven tips show that saving money isn’t about sacrifice – it’s about making smart choices. So before your next trip to the salon, take a few minutes to plan, grab a coupon, and watch the savings add up.
Looking sharp doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 💇✂️