Wow, your last perm was last Jan., mine was in June of 2006. Long time for me, I usually have three perms per year, and cut every six weeks. Gets costly.
I just get my hair cut once per year. I usually alternate - I get my hair trimmed about an inch one year, and then get it cut short the next.
I use curly shampoo, curly conditioner, curly gel, and curly spray. It is amazing that even though my hair has grown 6", the curl is still hanging on the the last 6". And I've had it trimmed three times!
I have to make sure it's washed every other day, even if I'm not feeling good, and that I put all the stuff on it, but still, it's cheaper than three perms a year!