July 5, 2008 10:22 PM
Boys' haircuts - save $$$$
It's been a long time since I ran this - just thought some new readers might be brave enough to give this a whirl - especially with summer weather here.
The best $25 I ever invested was in a Wahl hair clipper kit seventeen years ago when I had four sons under 6.
Since then, I figure I've given something like 900 haircuts to those four sons, the four that came later, and my dear hubby, thus saving $9000- 18,000 for the Curtis household.
It's really easy to learn to cut boys' hair. The Wahl kit is now 43.95 and comes with a DVD instead of a video. Still, with haircuts $12 or $15 it won't take long to pay for itself.
I also invested in a really good pair of scissors and learned to cut longer hair that way.
I don't have the patience to be as precise as a barber, but I developed my own style of grabbing sections of hair between my fingers (without doing the comb sectioning thing) and cutting at a uniform length.
Be brave!
Besides saving money, it's kind of a sweet ritual - a mother/son bonding thing - and one I highly recommend.
Posted in Practical Info, Saving money | Permalink
Comments
I did my son's for a little while, but got cheap conair clippers at the dollar store. They pulled his hair, so I sent him to BoRic's with Daddy. They didn't do any better than I did, so I think I'll be finding a better clipper set soon!
Posted by: Gem | July 5, 2008 10:59 PM
I started doing this a few months ago for my 3 year old son, and husband- and will eventually do it for my 1-year old son too when he has more hair! I found a book at a bookstore, got a pair of nice scissors, and with the clippers/trimmer set my husband already had, I manage to give them a decent haircut. I'm surprised at my ability to make it look pretty good each time. I just had one too-short cut on my son, but hair grows back, right!? :) Thanks for the encouragement to give it a whirl- I second that.
Posted by: Sally | July 5, 2008 11:39 PM
I can vouch for this clipper set- I bought one after reading a review here before. Just using it to cut my husband's hair, it has already paid for itself. The DVD that comes with it is helpful enough that I did a good job on the first try, and hubby hasn't complained since.
Posted by: Stacy | July 6, 2008 12:22 AM
You must have been reading my mind lately. Been asking everyone I know if they cut their own kids' hair and, if so, HOW!? LOL I either get "you've gotta be kidding" looks or general comments about "it's so easy anyone can do it" without any specifics. LOL
I guess I'll be on the lookout for a used set of clippers or something like the Wahl's on sale....
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings | July 6, 2008 7:41 AM
We bought a $10 kit at Giant Eagle a few years ago. Dh uses it for his haircuts (which are more like monthly "shearings". :) ) and I use the scissors and comb on our boys.
My husband is from Ethiopia and is just baffled at the amounts people will pay for a simple haircut. They have barbers there, but the prices are not nearly so exorbitant as they are here.
Posted by: Margaret | July 6, 2008 9:04 AM
I have always cut all my boys hair, my dd's and my hubbies! They all love it and I enjoy it immensely :))
Posted by: Meredith Henning | July 6, 2008 12:13 PM
A number 9 on Porter's beautiful hair Friday night! I cried!
Saved us $15 and a really messed up haircut!
Posted by: Shannon Best | July 6, 2008 2:13 PM
aw, Shannon - did you put pictures at your site?
Posted by: barbara | July 6, 2008 3:25 PM
It's pretty tough to go wrong with this cutting set. I use it on my husband, and I had never cut anybody's hair before. It's quick, easy, and saves a TON of money.
Posted by: Kristina | July 6, 2008 8:12 PM
I cut my sons' hair and now that her hair is longer, I cut my daughter's hair, too. I have that Wahl clipper and it's very nice. In fact, I even cut my brother's hair! The only person who won't let me cut his hair is my husband. We have different opinions about how his hair should look, so he still goes to a stylist (although I did cut his hair for quite a few years!). I've never watched any videos. I probably should, so I could learn a few things! LOL!
Posted by: Lucy | July 6, 2008 8:35 PM
I used to cut my son's hair too, until I accidentally snipped his ear lobe (not badly). For some reason, he always preferred the barber shop after that.
Posted by: Debbie | July 6, 2008 9:24 PM
