If you want a tattoo that you won’t regret, one of the most important steps to take is to go to a reputable studio and go under the needle of an experienced tattoo artist. However, this is often not cheap.
There are times to scrimp and save – shopping around for cheaper car insurance, buying second-hand appliances, and taking advantage of two for one specials at the grocery store.
There are, however, some situations where trying to save as many dollars as you can wouldn’t be advisable, one circumstance being getting a new tattoo.
What Are You Paying For When You Get A Tattoo?
One reason for the high price tag of new ink is because doing a tattoo costs money from the point of view of the artist – ink and tattoo equipment aren’t cheap.
Plus, a lot of what artists use during an appointment has to be thrown away afterward – you never want to go to a studio that tries to wash and reuse equipment that should be disposed of. Not only does the equipment cost money, but the training that an artist goes through is often extensive.
You don’t become an incredible artist overnight.
You’re also paying for the artist’s experience. An artist who has put in the time and effort to perfect their craft is going to charge a higher hourly rate than someone who is fresh out of their apprenticeship.
You have to decide for yourself what you’re comfortable with when it comes to the number of hours the tattoo artist of your choice has spent with a tattoo machine in hand. A good rule of thumb is to do your research and check out an artist’s portfolio to make sure you’re a fan of their work.
How Do You Know You’re Being Charged Fairly?
Many tattoo artists charge you by the hour, so a lot of the price depends on the detail and size of your chosen tattoo.
As tattoo artist, Allie Already, points out on Ink Addict,
“A good way to tell is to work out if you’re being charged to the minute when you’re initially quoted for the tattoo. If you’ve booked a four-hour session, and you’re told the session will cost you $800 at $200 an hour – you should hopefully be tattooed that entire time.”
Every tattoo artist has a different way they like to work. It’s important to have a clear conversation with your chosen artist to manage your expectations.
“… as long as you’re paying for the time you’re actually being tattooed, I believe that’s fair. Just calculate it in your mind and decide for yourself if you’re comfortable with the cost when booking in a session,”
Already
You have a design you love, you’ve done your research, and picked an artist whose work is exactly what you’re looking for, and know the price tag. If you don’t want to go into debt to pay for your new ink, here are five tips to save for your tattoo:
Choose the Great Outdoors Instead of Restaurants
As famous poet and writer, Khalil Gibran, said,
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
If you haven’t explored nature in a while, there are many benefits to getting outdoors. As explained by Science Daily, spending time in greenspace can reduce the risk of type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, stress, and high blood pressure.
Not only does your wellbeing enjoy the effects of nature, but so does your bank account.
The next time you find yourself picking up your car keys to go out to eat or walk around a mall, instead go for a hike or a walk in a nearby park. Plus, you can pack a lunch and still technically be going out to eat.
Eating And Drinking Out Is Draining Your Bank Account
If you’re in the habit of eating out often – including not preparing your own lunch for work, and ordering in a few times a week – then congratulations, you’ve come across a key area in your life in which you can save a substantial amount of money.
According to Money Under 30, an effective way to grow your savings account is to grow most accustomed to utilizing your kitchen,
“The average commercially-prepared meal costs around $13. Even if you rarely spend this much money at one time when you eat out, consider frequency. Two meals for $6.50 will add up to the same price. By contrast, the average meal prepared at home costs around $4 for groceries – a $9 savings per person per meal.”
If you prefer percentages, Amy Bergen explains on Money Under 30 that a $13 meal at a restaurant is around 325% more expensive than a meal you can prepare yourself at home.
Save What You Don’t Spend
Every time you find yourself reaching for your bank card to place an order online or preparing to go to a café for a cup of coffee, pause and think better of it – save the money you were going to spend. You will be surprised how quickly $3 saved here and there adds up.
When you get into the habit of saving your money instead of spending it on things you don’t need (and no, you don’t need a vanilla latte from Starbucks, you can make one yourself at home) and you see your savings account grow, it’s amazing motivation to keep going until you hit your goal amount.
Sell What You No Longer Want Or Need
This may be the perfect opportunity to treat your home to the KonMari Method™. If something doesn’t “spark joy” as the home organizing expert, Marie Kondo, likes to say, then perhaps you can sell it to someone who will appreciate it.
Go through your home and figure out what you could sell – there are a host of sites and apps to use, from Poshmark for good quality second-hand clothes, to ebay for just about everything.
Not only will you make some extra money towards your tattoo fund, but you’ll organize and clean your home at the same time.
Keep Your Dream Tattoo In Mind
One of the keys to following through on your goal is to remind yourself why you want to achieve it – namely, your dream tattoo.
When a new pair of shoes catches your eye, or you’re tempted to whip out your credit card when your favorite store emails you about its sale, remember why you’re saving money and why you don’t want to settle for a design you’re not in love with – it is going to be a permanent part of you, after all.
Take the time to save your money for your next tattoo, so that you can end up with a work of art that you love, instead of settling for a design you could afford in the moment.