July 29, 2009 10:52 AM
Boy's Haircuts - save money!
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 nineteen 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. Once in a while I buy a new set of blades.
If I were going to replace my old one - only if it died - I would probably choose the model that comes with a mini-clipper
(If you buy from Amazon, be sure to switch to free Super Saver Shipping at checkout.)
It's really easy to learn to cut boys' hair. The Wahl kit is now 29.99 - 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.
Lots of lovely memories.
~~~~~~~~
They also make a pet-trimming kit
Posted in Bargains, Downsizing, Practical Info, Resources, Saving Money | Permalink
Comments
Very timely. :) My eldest and I were just talking about buying a clipper kit the other day, and now I know which one to get. :)
Posted by: Hannah | July 29, 2009 11:38 AM
I've been cutting my 9 sons' hair for many years now as well. It is a nice bonding time for each son, especially when they hit the teen years and don't always have much to say. Also, I couldn't imagine making that many hair appts. and then going there and waiting with little ones, not to mention the obvious money saving aspect. Julie
Posted by: Julie | July 29, 2009 12:35 PM
I agree! We bought a $19 set at Costco about 2 years ago. My husband cuts the 3 boys every few weeks (he doesn't like long hair or messy neck areas), and it is an event. the boys get to sit on a big stool with the drape around them, they get a lollipop, and they bond with Dad a little. He keeps track on a piece of paper inside the kit, and so far he has done 100 haircuts. At $13 a piece (we used to go to cartoon cuts) that's $1,300 in just 2 years! I k now I would have had fewer cuts if we were actually paying for them, but it is still a great savings and a great way for Dad to have a special time with the boys. I also have a good set of haircutting scissors and cut my duaghter's hair myself. I haven't kept track the same way so can't tell you the acutal savings. I recommend doing home cuts both for the money savings and for the special memories.
Posted by: Danielle Murdock | July 29, 2009 12:50 PM
I have the trimmer kit with the mini-clipper. Not worth it. It works ok, but it goes through so many batteries! You're better off getting a separate rechargeable trimmer with different attachments for beard, goatees, etc.
I cut my boys' hair and my husband's. I've never watched the DVD. I probably should! I need to be more brave with my daughter's hair. It's just so fine and straight that it shows any mistakes. And I desperately need a new set of blades. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: Lucy | July 29, 2009 12:56 PM
I bought my kit on your recommendation. I've only used it once so far, but I was really happy with the quality and ease of use.
Posted by: Lauren | July 29, 2009 3:55 PM
Or for the less brave, get a Flowbee! While it's really strange to put a vacuum cleaner to your child's head, it works. (They can plug their ears.) The whole idea has that cheesy infomercial quality to it, but I'll testify after years of use that it works well and saves the same money. http://www.flowbee.com/
Posted by: Marian | July 29, 2009 4:59 PM
I too followed your advice and got this one. Oh how fun this is. Porter gets to hold dad's little trimmer and play with it while he gets his hair cut. He thinks that's the neatest. And oh the giggles we get when we get to the back of the neck and behind the ears.
It's true. It is a great family bonding moment. Now I wish I could do the same with Abigail, but a buzz wouldn't look good on my princess.
And I'm gonna keep the clippers hidden in case one day they go searching for them and shave each others heads. LOL
Thanks for always lookin' out for us!
-Shannon in Austin
Posted by: Shannon Best | July 29, 2009 5:21 PM
Another hair-cutting mama here, too! I started with the buzz cut (although I regret not buying the Wahls) and have progressed as my teenaged boys and even my husband prefer to get a haircut at home. In fact, the only really problematic side-effect is that my boys now all but refuse to get a professional cut!! Surely this too shall pass? I even cut my girls hair from time to time and I've been amazed that I could do it. Now if I could just find a stylist for myself....
Posted by: Jill S | July 29, 2009 5:27 PM
I love my Wahl kit to cut my 2 (soon to be 3) boys' hair. My husband even lets me cut his hair! I trim my daughter's long hair with sharp scissors. My aunt was a beautician for 20 years and she told me for girls' long hair, have the girl look down the whole time you're trimming. For some reason, this causes the hair to curl under naturally. It does work for my daughter's hair!
Posted by: MrsD | July 29, 2009 5:27 PM
I have the same "color-coded" Wahl kit! I bought it when I first realized my baby needed a haircut (he got at least 4 haircuts before he turned one, it grows so fast!), and since then I've given him, my husband, and even my brother-in-law haircuts with it. They're not barber-shop perfect and I tell hubby to go trim his own sideburns but it saves so much money. I don't think my son will see the inside of a barber shop until he's an adult except maybe for special occasions.
The only problem I have is remembering to cut hubby's hair first in front of George so the clipper doesn't scare him.
I haven't even gotten a haircut for myself for over a year.
Posted by: Courageous Grace | July 30, 2009 5:22 PM
Where / how do you buy replacement blades?
Posted by: TulipGirl | July 30, 2009 11:28 PM
The replacement blades are available at Amazon here.
Posted by: barbara | July 31, 2009 7:21 AM
