I have a secret skill that I should maybe just keep to myself.
I’m a closet hair cutter. Note that I don’t say hair stylist.
I can do two haircuts:
- Regular boy’s haircut.
- Buzz cut.
Yeah, it’s a pretty limited repertoire, but I don’t need the ability to set a perm or create the perfect Jennifer Aniston. I have two sons and a not-so-picky husband. Plus, my almost-teenager is rocking the long hair these days. (When he gets to 10 inches, we’ll chop it off [again] for Locks of Love.)
I taught myself to give haircuts when my sons were toddlers, a time when the boys could care less about having the nickname Tupperware. Luckily, I’ve moved beyond the bowl cut and snip quite the respectable ‘do at this point.
Here’s the numbers:
I give approximately 10 kid haircuts per year, which saves us $100.
I give approximately 10 haircuts to my husband per year, which saves us another $150.
That’s $250 per year. Multiply that times 18 years and you just saved $4500!
Not to mention all the time and gas spent driving to and from the barbershop.
I get my own hair cut one to two times per year and tend to go to a cheap-o chain salon with a coupon. I know the cut I want, and have gotten very good at giving very specific instructions. I’m actually happier going to a chain because I always get kind of intimidated by fashionable stylists and end up with haircuts I’m unhappy with. (I did once try to cut my own hair, but a secretary at work made me promise never to do that again.)
So if you’re looking for ways to trim your budget, take a look into home haircutting. This is really one of those situations where if I can learn to do it, anyone can!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I fear hair cutting. Really badly.
I gave you a blog award. It’s on my blog.
Plus, because of you I have discovered many ways to buy perfectly good things for less money because someone else enjoyed them first. Now I am thinking I have some stuff others might enjoy after me.
Thanks.
I had been giving my son & husband their haircuts for many years too, at least until recently. As for my daughter, I finally allowed her to cut her beautiful waist length blonde hair about a year and 1/2 ago (Locks of Love) but I would never dream of trying to do it myself…she is so particular it is well worth the $15 to let someone else do it. My husband recently discovered a barber college where he can get his cut for $4 & since he is a bit particular also, it is easy to pay that. I still get to do my sons hair though, for now at least! As for me, my inner cheapo thinks I could probably manage my own cut but luckily, I have resisted! So my once a year cuts get done at the $15 place too.
Great tip.
I get mine done for $50 every 7 weeks. I add value by enjoying the head massage and getting it done late Friday afternoon so it can be styled for any party etc I might be going to. I save money by colouring it myself. Though obviously one day I hope to stop colouring it altogether. 🙂