I happily pay 55.00 every 4 weeks for a haircut. There is no such thing as wash and wear hair for me, unless it's cut this short. It has nothing to do with my age (although I do agree with shootingstar that long hair does not look that great on older women). When I was 23 I started perming my chin length hair and kept perming it until I was about 45. It grew to shoulder length, but having it permed was the only way I could do wash and wear and have long hair.
I am envious of those that can just shake their heads and look good. My short hair and some "mud" make it bearable for my life style.