I finally was able to get a tattoo I had been planning for over a year, and in my year of drawing it up and pricing it out, I discovered some very important things about tattoos and what you really need to be careful about when getting them. Planning a huge, personal tattoo like this is a great way to become more aware of who you are, and what you like, but it should also test how much you're able to think in the long-term, because we are all painfully aware how much styles can change through your life.

1. It needs to be meaningful

This is going to be on your body for EVER. Make sure you won't be looking at it ten years later and not know why you ever decided to get it.

2. Think about placement

There are lots of factors to consider when thinking about where you're putting this tattoo. After all, it's gonna be there forever. So if you aren't sure, probably change it! Also, consider the fact that placement effects the level of pain! (More fat= Less pain. Less pain= Happy you!)

3.Tattoo Removal?

Before you get a tattoo, you gotta think about it, because while we have come a long way in the tattoo removal procedures... It's expensive and can take many appointments. Basically, if you're already thinking about getting it removed, it probably shouldn't be tattooed on you to begin with.

4. Foreign Language Tattoos

If you're contemplating getting something written in a foreign language... Make sure you KNOW what it means. Nothing worse than thinking you have "Love" tattooed on you, and finding out you actually have "I married a potato" permanently on your body.

5. Tattoo Costs

I highly recommend getting pricing from a couple different artists that you like, because you never know who will give you the best price! I recently got a custom tattoo, and the first artist I went to gave me a price of almost $200. Then I went to another artist, and he gave me a much lower price for a really awesome tattoo.