Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Thrifty Thursday

It is possible to be thrifty without feeling deprived and I'm sharing ideas in this summer series. If you have an money-saving idea, consider sharing it on your blog and leaving your link at the bottom of this post. The only rule? Share what you know. If I've never personally tried an idea, I won't write about it. The same goes for you, but don't assume an idea is too simplistic. It could be new to someone or it could re-inspire someone else!

My tip for today is invest in a set of hair clippers!  We bought a set about five years ago for less than $20 that included the clippers, 8-10 different size guide combs, and scissors.  While I have no training in cutting hair, cutting little boy hair with clippers is a breeze.  With the guide combs attached, you can't make a mistake!  I use a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch guide on most of the hair and use a 1-inch guide on the top.  Trim around the ears carefully with the scissors and I'm done.  I figured that within two home haircuts, I had recouped the money spent on the clippers.  And using the scissors, I've always cut Maddie's hair, too, until recently when she wanted a Kit haircut and I had to admit that style was beyond my limited skill!  (Confession: I've even cut my own hair several times, though that was taking a risk.) 




8 comments:

  1. I completely forgot!! Oops... need to come up with a thrify idea quick!!!

    And btw, thanks for prayers...

    AND, we also purchased a hair care kit with clippers and a razor for $12! Best 12 bucks spent!

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  2. I have to smile at your daughter wanting a "Kit" haircut...my Kylie got her haircut like that when she was in 1st grade, anticipating a certain doll for Christmas...(thank you Nana and Grandpa:)

    I suppose I'm a little more thrifty than I thought. We've been using clippers for the boys and Brian for a few years now. Yay me!

    If I think of anything, I'll share it on my blog, and link back to you.

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  3. I discovered my extreme lack of skill in this department when I cut Ryan's hair following a library video. When he got his next (paid) haircut, the stylist winced and said, "Who cut your hair last?" (Ryan pretended that he did not hear her.)

    Maybe I should have realized that haircutting was not one of my talents when I cut a small slice from the top of his poor ear with the scissors a few years earlier. ~cringe~

    Glad you did not inherit your mother's barber skills! You really can save a LOT of money by doing it yourself!

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  4. I popped over from A Mother's Prayers - and I'm so glad I did. What a beautiful family you have.

    Some thrifty ideas we've used-
    (we do the hair clippers too)

    Bake in bulk -saves time and money reheating the oven

    Need a play skirt for a little girl - buy a pillowcase at the thrift store (we can get one for a dime) and add some elastic to the top and you have an instant play skirt :-)

    Make your own playdough -add in pineapple scent - it smells soo good!

    Left over socks with no mate- keep a small basket under the sink with these misfits. They are perfect for little hands to slip on and help clean. Then you can just throw them away because if you're like us, you always have a steady supply of socks without a mate.

    Also lone socks are good for slipping over otter pops so little hands don't freeze while holding them.

    Cleaners - fill spray bottle with water and a few drops of tea tree oil. Instant disinfectant.

    That's all that I can think of off the top of my head~

    ~Cinnamon

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  5. I cut my husband and kids' hair too, and my husband cuts my hair! Clippers are super easy for boys, especially if you have a long comb.

    My thrifty tip is to give yourself some downtime by handing cardboard boxes to the kids to play with before sending them on to the recycling bin!

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  6. Great tip ! Im no good at anything but buzz cuts for my guys even with clippers lol :)

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  7. i have a clippers, but i hate how it looks after i cut shaun's hair. so i make him go get it cut. but i plan on doing dustin's next time by myself. i fixed it after we went and had them cut. but she charged us hardly anything for dustin, so i guess it's 'okay'.

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