Breaking up with service providers is hard to do

— -- Joanne Paholak agonized for months.

This decision would save time and money. But it could also hurt the feelings — as well as affect the income — of someone she cared about.

Finally last spring, she did it. Paholak broke ties with the hairstylist she'd seen for about 25 years.

She now visits the Great Clips chain near her Southfield, Mich., home to get her close-cropped hair cut. The price is about 80% less. And since no appointment is required, she can stop in whenever she has a free moment.

Parting ways "was very, very hard to do," she says. "It had become quite a close relationship as a hairdresser and client."

But as her stylist upgraded to increasingly chic salons, her prices kept rising. And Paholak, who is 68 and retired, realized she was spending way too much on the trims she received about every five weeks.

Faced with a volatile stock market, reduced home values and shrinking incomes, many folks are making the often-awkward decision to leave long-standing hairdressers, fitness trainers, housekeepers and other personal service providers.

A quarter of respondents have left one or more service providers to save money, according to a September BIGinsight poll conducted for USA TODAY.

Slightly more than half now do the tasks themselves; 26% found a less-expensive provider; and 23% decided they no longer needed the service.

A separate survey from America's Research Group and UBS found that nearly half of respondents who have cut spending decided to reduce lawn service visits and do more landscaping themselves.

Nearly 20% now cut their kids' hair, while 15% shear their own locks, the survey also found.

It's about the bottom line

Rising financial pressures and the plethora of ways to find less-expensive services mean more folks who once didn't have the desire — or nerve — to move on are doing just that, says Kit Yarrow, psychology department chair at Golden Gate University.

"There's less inertia," she says.

Online review sites such as Yelp.com help people locate new providers, as well as get peer feedback on those services. Group-buying sites such as LivingSocial let folks test new services at deep discounts.

And for those who want to handle a task themselves, there's a variety of tools (such as manicure sets and eyebrow-waxing kits) as well as myriad magazines, TV shows and online videos that give instructions on everything from hairstyling to car repairs.

With the unemployment rate hovering around 9%, those without jobs have less money and more time to tackle the chores they used to outsource, says Caitlin Moldvay, analyst at research group IBIS.

And some folks enjoy the bragging rights that come with their new self-reliance.

"There is less shame — and even pride — in cheaping out with do-it-yourself solutions," says psychologist Yarrow.

Although she works full time, Kristen Dennis is making time to tackle more duties around her San Diego home. "I'm doing more DIY projects and calling on a handyman less often," she says.

She also traded in her professional colorist for L'Oreal dye purchased with coupons.

"I went from spending close to $200 every six weeks to $6," she says.

Craig Biddle, a retired attorney who lives in Incline Village, Nev., left his hairdresser of 15 years. His wife, Pat, now does the job with store-bought electric clippers.