A $21,000 Cosmetology School Debt, and a $9-an-Hour Job

[MineralMan]

3. It's a trap a lot of people fall into.

Sadly, the opportunities available for employment don't pay well enough for the equation to balance out. In some other fields, though, they can. For example, plumbers, HVAC technicians and many other jobs can balance that equation.

I don't know the Des Moines area, but I wonder if there are other jobs for her that pay better. Great Clips is a budget-priced place for customers. If Tracy Lozano is very good at her job, she might be able to find a better paying position. However, most individually-owned salons operate on a chair rental basis, and take a percentage of the service fees on top of that. That can reduce the actual income down to her current pay. Also, building a regular clientele takes time.

She's been working now for 13 years after finishing that school. I would assume that she has gotten very good at what she does. Maybe it's time for her to start exploring alternative places to work.