Taking a family of four to the barbershop every month used to be a minor expense. Today, it’s a financial burden. With the average men’s haircut costing $30 to $40 (plus the mandatory tip), a family with two kids can easily blow $1,500 a year just on haircuts.
With inflation eating into your weekly grocery budget, handing over $120 a month to the barber is a budget leak you can no longer afford. But letting your kids walk around with overgrown, messy hair isn’t an option either.
You don’t need a cosmetology degree to save money on haircuts. You just need a little courage and the right tools. Here are 3 smart ways to cut your family’s grooming costs:
1. Start with the “Buzz Cut” (The Idiot-Proof Cut) If you are terrified of messing up your kid’s hair, start with a simple buzz cut. It is the most forgiving haircut in the world, and it is impossible to do wrong.
- The Hack: Buy a clipper with plastic guard combs. Put a #4 guard on the clipper (which leaves the hair half an inch long), and run it evenly over the entire head. It takes 5 minutes, cleans up easily, and looks neat and professional. You will save $40 in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee.
2. Maintenance Between Cuts If you prefer longer styles and don’t want to cut the whole head yourself, you can still save 50% on barber visits by doing “neck cleanups” at home.
- The Fix: The main reason haircuts look overgrown is because the hair on the back of the neck starts curling over the collar. Buy a simple trimmer and clean up the neck line every two weeks. It makes the haircut look fresh and extends the time between professional $40 haircuts from 4 weeks to 8 weeks.
3. Invest in a Beginner Home Clipper Kit (The Ultimate Saver) The biggest mistake people make is going to the supermarket and buying a $15 cheap plastic trimmer that pulls hair and breaks in a month.
- The Smart Move: A high-quality Home Hair Clipper Kit pays for itself after just two uses. Modern kits are designed specifically for nervous beginners. They are cordless, quiet, and come with color-coded guide combs so you know exactly how long the hair will be. It turns cutting hair at home from a stressful chore into a quick, painless 10-minute task. (If you want to see which clippers are the easiest for beginners to use without pulling hair, check out our review of the best budget home hair clippers!)
The Bottom Line Stop feeding your hard-earned money to the barber shop down the street. Grab a beginner-friendly clipper, start with simple buzz cuts, and keep your family looking sharp for pennies on the dollar.