Perhaps, you have been under a rock and you don’t know about the recession. While history shows that the economy usually recovers, most people will need to tighten their belts for a while to get through the bad times. Some people take the bus to work; others have given up cable TV. Many people looking for ways to balance their personal budgets have started looking at how to cut the cost of hair upkeep.

Maybe you won’t get your hair cut as often. Perhaps, you need to reconsider coloring your hair and renewing your perm every month. Maybe you are even considering taking the plunge and doing your hair at home! Don’t worry. You do not have to suffer from bad hair days just to keep gas in your car. You do not even have to start buying shampoo at the dollar store or collecting hotel and cruise line shampoo samples.

Recession or not, taking care of your hair at home, is not as hard as you think. The great part is that you will find that most of the items you will need are right in your kitchen or your pantry! Along the way, these minor changes in your normal hair care routine might help you save a few hairs too.

Apple Cider vinegar is one of the oldest home fixes for your hair. Dilute a cup of vinegar with seven cups of water. Rinse your hair with the vinegar solution after shampooing. It will make you hair shinier and liven up fading hair coloring. The vinegar smell will evaporate after just a few minutes.

Mayonnaise is a great conditioner for dry hair. You don’t have to spring for the most expensive brand. Slather it on before shampooing. Leave it for five minutes. Remove all the mayonnaise from your hair by washing it with warm water and a mild shampoo. Style your hair as usual. It will shinier, fuller and easier to manage.

Olive oil and avocados will also help you accomplish similar results. Some people alternate pantry ingredients (depending on what’s on sale in the grocery). Others even combine them to make a conditioner that suits their hair’s unique needs.

There is no rule that you can’t eat the leftovers if you decide to experiment by combining some of these recession busting kitchen pantry hair care ingredients!