As a mom of four, I’m always looking for ways to trim costs. With exceptions, do-it-yourself projects are a great way to save. Homemade options that require big time investments don’t save–time is money. Here’s one easy, quick, DIY job that saved us at least $800 a year when the kids were young: home haircuts.
When our first child was born, I invested $20 in a Wahl haircut set. It came with electric razor, several detachable heads to adjust cutting length, barber’s scissors, razor oil and home haircutting manual. The kit retailed for more, but I got it on sale. My husband and I have used that same set for 24 years to cut all four kids’ hair and sometimes each other’s.
You’re probably thinking, “I’ll bet the kids’ haircuts looked pretty homemade!” Let me assure you that the haircut kit not only made the job easy, it made haircuts look professional. The razor heads are designed to cut hair to different lengths: from shaved head to one inch. They’re tapered at one end to cut hair cleanly over the ears. For our two boys, this worked great.
But what about the girls? I have one daughter with curly hair and one with straight. When my oldest curly-haired daughter was young, I watched the stylist cut my husband’s also-curly hair and used the barber scissors to cut her hair. I learned to cut straight hair watching the stylist cut mine. The enclosed guide helped too.
When children are little their hair is generally easier to cut. Cutting a straight line and keeping a steady hand are all it takes. If you make a mistake, well, hair grows. To keep the razor working well, wipe it clean after use, apply oil occasionally. Store razor (with attachments) in a plastic container or reclosable bag.
Up to age 12, I cut kids’ hair in simple, popular styles. As they grew, I kept up on current hair fashions so they wouldn’t feel (or look) awkward. I even did a respectable Mohawk when that trend was in! At age 12, I let the kids opt for salon haircuts. That’s the age, roughly, when they start wanting professional cuts. I paid for a basic, cheap haircuts but if kids wanted a more expensive salon, they had to pay the difference. When they got jobs, they began paying for their own haircuts. One son cuts his own hair using our old razor.
Kids’ haircuts are cheaper than adults, but it still adds up–especially with four kids. Kids need about 8-10 haircuts annually. Charges vary by state and salon, but usually run at least $12 with the tip. If I paid for each child’s haircuts it would have cost roughly $200 per child, per year, factoring in inflation and savings from coupons and discounts. Cutting hair at home, I save money driving to the salon. I save time because I can cut kids’ hair anytime I want with no driving or waiting. I saved myself stress having to corral the other children during while one child gets his hair cut.
