When you're laid off, your personal appearance takes on new importance.

It's always good to look good but when you're interviewing for jobs in a competitive market, your hairdo can be the difference between an offer and unemployment. NBC reports on one New England hair stylist who is offering free haircuts to the unemployed -- even though she normally charges $70 per head.

And get this: She even gives the tips to a local food bank. Stories like this really do renew my faith in human decency that is challenged by every headline about the AIG pigs crying about their bonuses.

I wonder if Joyce's idea for free haircuts will catch on. I could definitely see one of the national chains offering a promotion. Imagine the tremendous amount of publicity that ProCuts or SuperCuts could gain by offering free (or just discounted) cuts to laid off workers.