Hair Dilemma

I have had long, dark hair 95% of my life. When I was little it was short and then there was that one time freshman year of highschool when I cut my hair shoulder length and hated it. I think I am finally old enough and mature enough to be okay with the fact that it is time for a change.

The problem is that I don't like to spend more than 5-10 minutes on my hair each day. I can handle spending more than that once or twice a week. However, I need something quick and easy for the most part. I also don't want to have a hair cut that requires me going to the salon more than twice a year. (you can see why I resort to straight, long hair most of the time now). Also...I HAVE to be able to put my hair up in a pony tail.

Currently I am considering the following options (Any combination of these):
Cut off roughly 6 inches (or more)
Lighten it up (Ah! I have never colored my hair)
Get bangs (I am not too fond of this option...I don't think I would look good with them)

Or I could be safe and trim off 3 inches with layers and call it good.

What do I do?! Also, I do have a budget which is the only reason why I am shying away from coloring it. Does anyone even know how much it costs to lighten up some of your hair? I am such a beginner to all of this. (The idea of doing the box kind of coloring you buy from the grocery store is in no way appealing to me...)

My hair currently: (Or should I say....my hair as it has been the past 15 years)