Down Mulberry Lane

Frugal Idea number ONE

In the last couple days, we've been looking over our finances and decided a plan, an effort needs to be put into place to reduce our debt.  There are alot of reasons that we've decided to make an effort... but simply enough, it has me focussing on where can I cut corners.  I am posting my ideas here to show myself that we are being frugal ... you know even when it seems that those bills will never get paid off... but we are making a difference.  I thought, too, that you all might be inspired as well to hear some of the things we do to live more frugally.

Learn to cut your family's hair. 

OK, I used to think you had to be a beautician or a barber to cut hair... my mom always cut our hair growing up, so it wasn't that weird... but she is a beautician!  I was leery about stepping out and cutting my girls' hair, but I finally did it.  Starting out with simple trimming at first... just trimming the ends and practicing on a straight cut.  If you've ever gotten your hair cut at a salon, there are little things that they do that will soften a cut and make it look nicer.  With girls, you can tip the head forward and trim the uneven ends... this will allow the hair to naturally somewhat curl under on it's own.  You can do it on the sides as well.  With bangs, I noticed my girls' bangs being somewhat boxy... so I started lifting them and softly layering them... easily done if you hold out the hair at a 45 degree angle from the face and cut the ends vertically.  Now I do not make large cuts... I am cutting maybe a half inch angle ... so it lightly layers the ends.  Once I was comfortable with that... I started playing with the girls hair... My oldest once wanted hers layered and I was really nervous about doing it, but I had watched my mom do my hair for years and I finally gave in to my daughter's desire and her long hair was layered and it flowed and layed quite nicely.  I was surprised at how easy that was... but my motto with cutting hair has been... little steps.  You can't fix a mistake too easily if you make a big cut in an unfamiliar way. 

My husband also was a frequent flyer at the hair salon, getting his quick buzz every two months.  Which that was $13 a pop usually, unless his mom found a coupon, which she often shared with us... but still $6.99 or $7.99 a time can add up.  Dh saw a hair trimming set at a store and asked me if I would do his hair... Now my girls... I figure if I mess up they have enough hair to get it fixed... Him... well, he's not got much for hair so if I mess up... how are we going to fix that?  I am pretty nervous, but the kit said it came with a DVD for teaching how to use the shavers, the guards, the trimmers, etc.  So I agreed to try... he said if I didn't get the hang of it within 3 hairdo's he could go back to the salon... but the three cuts I made would pay for the hair trimming kit with the trips he didn't make to the salon... He said he could live with 3 bad haircuts.  LOL. 

Well, the first cut was a bit... um nerve wracking for me.  I've never watched anyone shave a head, except on the DVD.  Dh is telling me how simple it is... the gal at the salon takes less than 5 minutes and here it's been 30 minutes and I'm still trying to even out the ledges and get the top of his hair to lay right. It was OK for a first hair cut, but I was leery and didn't cut as much off as he would have liked.  The second time... I buzzed up too far, but he lived with it without complaining.... sweet guy.  The third time... and he was reminding me... if you can't get it... I can go back to the salon.... well, it turned out much better.  And now, last night I cut his hair again and it was quite simple... took me about 10 minutes, I think.  I figured out for his hairdo... we use the number 8 guard on top and the number 2 guard on the sides.  I trim the edges and shave his neck and he's good to go.  I got the hang of it and we're saving money.  The trimmer still looks new and should last us if we take care of it. 

So, if your family is willing, take a try at it.  At first, I didn't get those fancy scissors, I just used the craft ones in the craft aisle at Walmart.  (they were like $2 each).  The trimming kit for dh came with a cape, which is optional... I do have a washing machine!  and it also came with a nicer scissors which I now use with the girls' hair.  No need to run out and cause more expense... use what you have and if it looks like it will work... perhaps do as we did and spend the money you would use on hair cuts to purchase a nice trimmer set or scissors.  Then follow through with the investment until it is paid off... then enjoy the savings that a little time learning a new skill like trimming hair can do for your family. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Thanks for the cutting tips!

9:57 PM, February 16, 2007 .. Posted by Joymommy

I recently did a blog on my kids haircuts. I have lots of boys and have a hard time keeping the hair out of their eyes. Do you have any tips for the layering for girls? I tried it with my daughter's last cut, but didn't get it right and ended up just cutting it shorter than I planned. Thankfully her hair was quite long beforehand so it worked out anyways.

Melanie

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11:59 PM, February 16, 2007 .. Posted by SofteningClay

I have cut my husband's hair and our three son's hair for about 5 years now and it has saved us at least $200 a year. It is definitely well worth it.

hair cuts

12:19 PM, February 17, 2007 .. Posted by mcgyver959701

Melissa, loved this post. I remember the first hair cut I gave my new husband. I'll make a post about it. Oh, it was something. LOL

Hugs,
Lynn

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3:41 PM, February 17, 2007 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking

I have been catching up on your posts. You've got some great ones. I know exactly what you mean about the debt. We are closer to being debt free than we have ever been. It is a wonderful feeling.
Blessings,
Trixi