When Mike & I got engaged in ’93 neither of us had much money. One day he mentioned he needed a haircut. He had thick hair that grew fast. The thought hit me that if I could learn to cut his hair myself, we could save a sizable amount of money over the years we planned to be together.
Our engagement picture
Luckily, Mike was willing and not too picky about how his hair looked. My plan was to watch closely how the stylist cut his hair. Then I would wait about a week after his haircut and just give him a light trim, copying the stylist. I would invest in a set of hair clippers (about $20-30), shave the sides and back of his head and cut the top with scissors.
I was successful. Mike’s hair probably wasn’t perfectly even the first few times, but he loved me too much to notice (or at least say anything). I’ve cut his hair faithfully, every 2-3 weeks from then until now.
It’s been 17 years since that time. If I cut his hair every 3 weeks, that’s 17 cuts a year. Times that by 17 years and you get 289 haircuts. Times that by $7 bucks a pop and you get $2023 saved. And that’s a conservative estimate! Then if you add my 13yo, 7yo, 5yo, & 2yo sons . . . well, you get the point.
So of course when I had my first son, I just followed the same pattern. I trim my babies around the ears and neck with scissors, but there comes a day when it’s just not enough (for my taste anyway…or sometimes you need closer access to a scaly scalp).
Then I get out the clippers. I don’t bother cutting the top with scissors. I buzz the whole thing.
I sometimes give them a little toy to hold, which helps them sit still. I also let them hold the clippers in the beginning so they’re not afraid.
It’s like working on a revolving door for the first year or two, but they get used to the routine. Now we pick a day every couple weeks, when all the boys are home to do the whole job at once.
I usually use the 5/8 inch attachment on Mike’s sides and the boys whole heads during the winter. Once in a while my son wants it shorter on the sides and longer on the top.
Then I use the 5/8 or 1/4 inch on the top and the 1/4 inch or blending attachment around the sides and back. But when spring and summer hit,
I just give them a short buzz and use the blending attachment for their whole head.
The attachments are easy to snap on and off.
When I’m done shaving their entire head, I remove the attachment and trim their sideburns,
around their ears and the back of their necks.
It’s good to periodically get the hair out of the clippers while cutting, and oil them in between uses.
I can especially tell on Mike’s hair if I haven’t done this maintenance. His hair is so thick, the clippers won’t work if they haven’t been oiled.
My clippers have lasted me about five years per set. The sets come with the clippers, a variety of length attachments, scissors and oil. My current brand is Conair
Okay. Now when it comes to the girls, as they get older, I admit, I leave them to the professionals.
I get them professional cuts once in a while, they go a long time between visits and I just trim their bangs as needed.
So there you have it! Buy yourself some clippers, get out your broom and save yourself a heap of time and money.
Give it a try. You can do it!
Scaly scalp or cradle cap remedy: Spray or rub olive oil on problem area. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. Shampoo and rub area briskly with a rough washcloth. You may need to use your fingernail to GENTLY scrape off excess dead skin. All beautiful again!
Cute engagement picture. You look great! I’m going to try the cradle cap remedy because I’m pretty sure my baby is tired of me scraping her scalp every time she nurses
We just did this tonight – I line up all the boys and buzz their hair assembly line style. Saves lots of money. The only one I can’t do it with is Jeremy, his is so thick and curly so it looks better longer,and I am not that great with scissors. I try anyway because I hate the thought of having to pay for a haircut for him every month, but I might have to. I haven’t dared cut Alaina’s hair yet! I am very grateful for our clippers though. Where do you get replacement oil for maintaining yours? I haven’t oiled mine in a while.
Bravo! You can buy the oil separately at beauty supply stores.
I just cut Noah’s the other night! But he still hates the clippers, so its really really thick but at least its short around his ears and eyes. I might have to let him try holding them and see if it helps. Nice savings, totally worth it!
I just found your site. Love it. This is exactly what we do with our boys. Dad won’t let me near his head though. It’s probably a good thing. He is the one that cuts the boys hair. i cut my oldest daughter’s hair several months ago. She donated it to Lock of Love. Most of the time I take them to the pros as well. Looking forward to reading more of your site. God Bless.
I have been cutting my husbands for about 14 years and now my boys hair for 10 years! However, the first time I cut my husbands hair it took me 2 hours! He was so patient with me. I have not done the math but it sure has saved a lot of money!
I grew up having my mom cut my hair. Once when I was 17ish I decided I was grown enough to go to a barber – until they charged me $18 (did I want a shampoo? sure! did they tell me it would double the price? Nah, forgot to mention that part). For a minimum wage kid that was a bitter pill to swallow and back to mom groveling I went. After that, besides a couple of years out of the country and my time in college, my mom was the only one to ever cut my hair till I got married and Liesl took up the task over for what is now seven heads of hair besides hers in the house. Funny she won’t let me cut her hair!
Great lesson! Thanks for sharing that, Gary!