How to Get Cheap (but Reliable!) Pregnancy Tests - $1 or less at the Dollar Store, Walmart, and Amazon!

I am always shocked when I see how much pregnancy tests cost at the store -- easily $10-$15 (or more) depending on the brand!  I could never stand to pay that much, so I was thrilled when we found some great cheaper options.  Since we're currently expecting baby #6, we have lots and lots of experience with trying out different tests!  ;)

These are all super options if you're dealing with infertility, you just can't stand to wait any longer, or want to take a dozen tests just to be sure!  The costs of raising children add up fast -- this is an excellent way to start on the right foot by saving money now before they're even here!


Dollar Store:
The one we've used most often have been from the dollar store (Dollar Tree specifically), and they sell them for $1! (obviously, lol)  I've used them quite a few times over the past 13 years and I have found them to be very reliable!  I've never had a "false" reading and we trust them completely. (They have the same sensitivity level as many of the name brands, such as ClearBlue, e.p.t., First Response...etc)

I used to find these in the HBC section, but now they are often by the register to deter theft.
*Dollar Tree also has ovulation kits for only $1.  I haven't personally used them, but I have heard good things about them as well!

{photo credit: Holy Craft}

Walmart:
I recently discovered an .88¢ section at Walmart that has some really good bargains -- including "First Signal" pregnancy tests for only .88¢!  This is the one we used with this current pregnancy and it worked just as well and easily as the Dollar Tree tests.
*My photos were from the HBC section near the pharmacy, but I've also seen the .88¢ items at the checkout.

{this is the proof of our current bun in the oven}

funny story....last year I pulled an April Fools joke on my husband by having a sweet pregnant friend take a test for me and then left it in the bathroom for my husband to find.  It was the best. joke. ever!  Since we thought we were done with 5, he was so shocked he couldn't believe it - he almost puked, he almost cried....it was awesome, lol!
This year I took this test a couple weeks before April 1st and as it showed positive in seconds, the "joke" was on me this time!  ;)  We're all very happy about it though, so it was a good joke.

Amazon:
If you're just starting a family, TTC, or are a compulsive test taker.....this may be a great option!  The Wondfo brand pregnancy test strips (25-ct.) on Amazon are currently $8.15 + FREE Super Saver Shipping!  That's .33¢ each!  Even cheaper than the dollar store tests and the comments are overwhelmingly positive.  They are reported to be very accurate and very sensitive so you can find out faster!  (You can also get the Wondfo 50-ct. pregnancy test strips for only $15.95 -- .32¢ each! Also eligible for FREE SSS)  For the same price as an expensive "name brand" test at the store, you can get up to 50 test strips!
*Note that Amazon prices do vary, but these are the prices today.  =)  I have seen them lower than this too!

I hope this information helps and good luck!  =)

{photo credit: Baby Gaga}

FREE and Cheap Movies at Theaters this Summer!

My kids love going to the movie theater and I love having a nice air conditioned place to go during the summer, but I do not love the prices!  Luckily, there are quite a few theaters who are offering FREE and cheap family movie programs this summer! 

Passionate Penny Pincher has put together a great list of theaters offering these programs!  Also, be sure to check your local theaters if they're not listed to see if they have their own cheap/free movies.  We have a theater that offers $3 tickets all the time, and another that has new release movies for $4 every Sunday night -- those are our date nights.  =)

4th of July Fruit Kabobs Recipe! Fun, easy and healthy recipe for kids to help with!

Here's a really yummy way to celebrate the 4th of July (or Memorial Day) with a fun red, white, and blue treat!  Since it's Summer, many fruits are in season and this makes it a perfect frugal recipe/activity to make with the kids!  It's easy and healthy too!

I originally saw this recipe on Frugal Girls a couple years ago and when we had a family reunion over July 4th last year, I thought this would be perfect for both the oodles of little ones and the adults! They were a hit!

I started by assembling my ingredients:

• Skewers
• Star Shaped Marshmallows (I've seen them at Walmart and Meijer.  You could also use regular marshmallows too)
• Red and Blue fruit (I used strawberries, blueberries, and red grapes)

{^ that's almost exactly what my ingredients looked like, but I couldn't take a good picture with the cell phone - thanks Frugal Girls!}

Then I stuck the fruit and marshmallows on the skewers in fun patterns.  Done!
{I apologize for the poor quality pictures, I misplaced the camera - then found it about 30 minutes after these were gobbled up, lol.  So, cell phone pics will have to do}  =)

The skewers are sharp, so be careful!  But kids can help by:

• picking which fruits to buy/use
• washing fruits
• handing you fruits and marshmallows
• assembling the patterns of how they want them on the kabob (ie: 2 blueberries, 1 white marshmallow, 3 blueberries, 1 blue marshmallow....etc.)
• older kiddles could thread the ingredients onto the skewer

Other red, white, and blue ingredients you could use....
Red:

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Watermelon chunks/balls
• Red grapefruit
• Red Pears

White:

• Marshmallows (mini, large, stars...)
• Pound cake cut into chunks or shapes with a cookie cutter
• Dragonfruit (white and black inside)
• Banana (tossed with lemon juice to keep from browning)
• White nectarines or peaches
• Pears (peeled - and again, tossed with lemon juice)
• Pineapple (white-ish)  =)
• Angel food cake

Blue:

• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raisins

{Here's a great flag version Brianna made that I found on Pinterest!}

I think these would be really fun for other occasions too!  Rainbow colored for a birthday party - or use the colors of a favorite sports team for a game day party.  What do you think?  Any other ideas?

Linking up to.....

Easy DIY Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe!

A big pile of laundry was waiting for me today, but when I went to start the first load I discovered that one of the kids had used the last of the laundry soap.  "Make laundry detergent" was on my to-do list for a few weeks, but I had been putting it off -- so now was as good a time as any!

I usually use All Free and Clear, but the first time I made this I was thoroughly impressed!  It's so easy to make and extremely cheap -- about 1¢ a load (from cost breakdowns I've seen on other websites) -- compared to Tide at about 19-20¢/load from what I see on the Walmart website!

My toddler "helped me" test out the first load by wetting the bed -- "pee sheets" are some of the worst laundry loads I think.  It took out the smell beautifully and they smelled fresh and clean with just one regular cycle - no soaking or anything!  I was instantly won over.  =)


So this morning I got my supplies and helper together and whipped up another batch! 

The basic recipe:

• 1 c. Borax
• 1 c. Washing Soda (not the same as baking soda!)
• 1 bar soap, shredded (many recipes use Fels Naptha, but I've heard that it really doesn't matter, so I picked one that smelled great and was on sale)

I also added these optional ingredients:

• 1 c. Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 c. Purex Crystals (they smell amazing and soften your laundry without oil - so it doesn't ruin the wicking ability of towels and exercise apparel)

I shredded the bar of soap into a bowl with a microplane, then Emma helped me add the rest of the ingredients.
(Since then, I've also shredded it in a food processor after drying the bar on the counter for a few days.  Or if you use Ivory, you can try this cool trick in the microwave instead of shredding!)

I stirred it all together and then put it into the now empty Purex Crystals container.

I was going to use a pretty glass jar, but I thought the plastic bottle might be safer for the kids to use.

• I use 1 Tablespoon per load -- but if you have a really grubby load, you could go crazy and use 2 Tbs. for only 2¢!  ;)  (it may seem strange at first to use so little, but it has no fillers - only what it needs to do the job)
• It's important to note that this does not get sudsy -- commercial detergents have things added to make them get bubbly and "look" like they're working, but it's not the bubbles that do the cleaning 
• From my research, I've found that this works great and safely in HE (high efficiency) machines because it doesn't suds up
• I found the ingredients in the laundry aisle at WalMart (but if you want them shipped to you, I've included links to the products above to be able to buy them online also)

Pin it, share it, and let me know how you like it!   =)

FREE eBook on Amazon.com: "A Fine Mess: Living Simply with Children"

Amazon is offering the "A Fine Mess: Living Simply with Children" e-book for Kindle for FREE!

• If you don’t have a Kindle, you can just download a free reading app from Amazon which will allow you to read this on your PC, iPad, iPhone, blackberry, android, Mac and more!
• Prices change often.....if it's still FREE the price will be listed as $0.00

 
Description:
A Fine Mess: Living Simply With Children is a memoir full of tips for living frugally and simply. Through humor, trial and error, the Hogan's have learned how to scale back, live frugally and have fun in the process. Between homeschooling, owning their own businesses and working at jobs they love, while on their Vermont farm, they learned how to stay debt-free and feed their family fresh organic foods for less than $400 a month.

(thanks Cents Less Deals!)

Hot Clearance at Pier 1 Imports Online!

I just heard that Pier 1 Imports was having a big clearance event online.  I checked it out and it's true....and there's some pretty great stuff on there!  Right now there's 52 pages of clearance of all kinds - furniture, candles, dishes, outdoor, jewelry....some discounted over 90% off.  I'm not done browsing, but it looks like you can choose to pick it up at your local store and not even pay shipping!

Lots of these things would make really great birthday, teacher, or Christmas gifts if you were planning ahead!   We got some beautiful things recently with their $10 off $10 coupon and am loving the square plates we just got (which are included in this clearance event too)!

Here are a couple things that caught my eye:

{Onion Grass - reg. $12, now .98¢}

{Chunky Woven Placemats - reg. $4.95, now $1.18}

{Assorted Bead Rings - reg. $1, now .18¢}

{9 ft. Striped Umbrella - reg. $159.95, now $39.98}

{Audra Damask Slipcover - reg. $69.95, now $9.98}

If you find anything fantastic, let us know!

6 Ways to Save Money on School Supplies!

Here's something I wrote last year that I thought would be a good one to post again for anyone looking for ways to save money on school supplies.....

Using these tips, last year I probably spent $10 total in supplies for all 3 of my kids that were in school (then in 1st, 4th, and 5th grade).....including backpacks and everything -- one of which was an $80 backpack we got for FREE at Staples!.....

This time of year can be very stressful.  Not only is our beloved summer coming to an end, but then you get that daunting list of school supplies and can picture your hard earned money slipping out of your hands.....even more so when you have 2 or 3 (or 5!) to buy supplies for!  I read today in the newspaper that the average U.S. family will spend just over $600 on Back-to-School supplies for kids in K-12!  Between you and me, I think that's ri-dang-diculous! There's no reason you should have to spend that much, so here are some ways to bring that number down.......WAY down!



#1 - Start Shopping Early
Waiting until the last minute (like some of us are prone to do...ahem) forces you to buy whatever supplies are available - often at full price.  When you start early and take your time, you have options and can buy as you come across deals and get what you need for so much less.  If you plan ahead and keep your eyes open you can score great clearance deals, pick things up at thrift stores, and even get exactly what you need for pennies at yard sales.

#2 - Shop at Home
Don't believe all the marketing hype that you need all new supplies!  Take a look around the house and see what you find - you may be surprised.  Check out the kids art supplies or your home office and see if you've got crayons, markers, or colored pencils with little use, or maybe there are pencil boxes, calculators or rulers in good shape from last year.  Shop without spending a dime!  It's also a great way to teach your kids not to be wasteful.
*This year I mentioned to my sister that my daughter needed a 3-inch 3-ring binder and I was so bummed out because the one I saw at the store was $10!  It's a hard item to find a deal on, but I was not ready to plunk down $10 on this thing either.......when dear sister came to the rescue and said she just happened to have one laying around! Soo....think about 'shopping' at other people's homes too!  ;)

#3 - Shop Loss Leaders
This time of year is one of my favorites for sales!  The competition for the "back-to-school" shoppers bring out some amazing deals!  Each week, get the Sunday paper and look through all the ads - grocery stores, office supply stores, even home improvement stores like Menards get in on the action.....offering school essentials for dirt cheap!  Loss leaders are products that stores sell at or below cost to get you in the door, and hopefully keep you there to do the rest of your shopping.  Stay focused, get what you need and get out.  It may take a little more time to go to different stores, but try to plan your shopping so that you can go a few stores in the same area to reduce driving around.  Also, when possible, take your ads in to stores that offer price matching, like Wal-Mart and Target.  By sticking to the loss leaders, you'll save BIG bucks!

#4 - Stock Up
Glue sticks for 1¢, pencils for 5¢, notebooks for 10¢, backpacks for 99¢ or even FREE!.....prices like this only come around once a year, so stock up!!  Not only is this a good time for school shopping, but it's also an excellent time for buying what you need for your home office. 
Also, remember.....

• teachers who need supplies for their classrooms (and often buy them themselves)
• busy friends with children who may not have time to shop around
• single moms trying to make ends meet
• church or community backpack giveaways that need donations
• birthday presents or goodie bags
• planning ahead for Christmas Shoeboxes
• stocking stuffers
• activity bags in the car
• Sunday school supplies

#5 - Choose Function, Not Fashion
Does your child "have to have" the latest Justin Bieber, Hannah Montana, 'Superhero of the moment' backpack? (who may or may not be "so over" by the end of the school year)
By not limiting yourself to certain characters or brands, you may find things much more affordable.  I've found that supplies with the latest "Disney star" or cartoon character plastered on them often are cheaply made and you're just paying for the character.  The same amount of money could buy something of better quality that will last the school year (or beyond) and not go out of style so quickly.

#6 - Keep an Eye on Quality
Do keep in mind that most of the kids supplies will be used on a daily basis - and quality is a factor.  Decide which things will matter as far as construction goes - save where it doesn't matter and maybe spend a little more where it counts to have things hold up better in the long run. Getting a "great deal" on a backpack that falls apart in the first month or two and having to replace it, isn't such a bargain.  Think of who's using the items - is it a child who's generally rough on their belongings or more gentle?  Are you buying a backpack for a 1st grader who'll primarily be using it for a folder and lunch, or an older child who needs it to withstand the weight of heavy books?


Don't stress out - make a plan and remember these tips to save money and your sanity when shopping for back to school!  How do you save on school supplies??

7 Tips to Avoid and Deal with Coupon Burnout ~ Part 3

Coupon Burnout happens to all of us - whether you're a newbie just starting out and learning the ropes, or a veteran couponer who feels like they have it all together.......there usually comes a time where you just get overwhelmed and it seems like too much effort and you want to give up.  Here's a 3 part series with 7 tips to avoid getting burned out or what to do if you are.......
If you haven't already, be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2 also.

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4. Reassess
Think about what caused you to get burned out in the first place and ask yourself some questions.  Is it that you don't have a good system in place so it's stressing you out?  Are you trying to get every deal, every week?  Maybe you're juggling too much in your life overall and something has to give?
What's working for you?  What is not working?  Think about what stresses you out - if you were to start again tomorrow, what is making you dread it the most and how can you change those things?

5. Think About Your Goals
Is your purpose to scoop up every single bargain you find and make a crazy cool stockpile and donate up the wazoo?  If you have the time and resources (and you do it the right way - no shelf-clearing!), then awesome!  If your goals are to have a couple back-ups of what your family commonly uses and help stretch your budget a little, then you may not have to be so aggressive in your hunting for deals and you may have to watch out so that you don't get caught up in the excitement of it and let it skew your perspective.
Only you will know what your goals are, just remember that couponing should only be part of your life - not the whole thing!  Keep a healthy balance.


6. Make a Game Plan
Now that you've had some "time away", hopefully you've have gotten some perspective. You've thought about how you've been doing things and maybe what you should do to change it.
It may have just been a little "smoky" and be as simple as just needing a few weeks off and you're ready to go again......or you may completely "charred" and need a whole overhaul.  You will have to figure out what that means to you, but be honest with yourself and where you're at in life.

7. Take Action
You should now feel more in control and be able to avoid burnout again by knowing what your goals are and being realistic about the time and resources you have available.  Now that you've made a plan, step back into the game.  Wait for the next great sale or freebie week at Walgreens, Rite-Aid, or CVS and let that reignite your passion.  Just remember to use coupons and bargain shopping to your advantage, but don't let it take over your time and life!  Use it as a tool to benefit you and your family and enjoy it!  =)




Do you ever get burned out?  How do you handle it - or how do you avoid it in the first place?  What advice do you have for others feeling burned out?

I'm thinking about writing a future post about how to maintain a stock-pile, maybe include some "rules" you'll want to follow to make the most of it, and how to store things when you don't have a "rebate room".  Let me know if you're interested in something like that, and what questions you might have about stockpiling.

**This is last post of a 3-part series, you can see Part 1 and Part 2 here.

7 Tips to Avoid and Deal with Coupon Burnout ~ Part 2

Coupon Burnout happens to all of us - whether you're a newbie just starting out and learning the ropes, or a veteran couponer who feels like they have it all together.......there usually comes a time where you just get overwhelmed and it seems like too much effort and you want to give up.  Here's a 3 part series with 7 tips to avoid getting burned out or what to do if you are...

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In part 1, I've already told you about my recent experience with Coupon Burnout, now here's some tips for how to avoid and deal with it.....

1. Pay Attention
Be aware of how you're feeling about coupons, deals, and shopping.  Sure, there are going to be days where you just don't want to bother - that's normal.....but if it's stretching into weeks and months, it's time to do something about it. Being a wise steward is important, but so is the emotional and mental health of yourself and your family.

2. Take a Break
Using coupons and getting deals are great, but it's not the end of the world if you have to buy something "just" on sale or even....full price - gasp!  ;)   Give yourself permission to "slack off" a little and not pinch every penny.  Depending on your situation or level of burnout, that might mean cutting down to just a few stores, just one store....or no deal shopping at all.  If you have an Aldi's nearby, their prices are typically low - even without coupons (which they don't accept).  Using coupons is a lot of work and can be exhausting.  You have to keep things in perspective and remember that while using coupons is a great tool for saving money.....it's just that -- a tool.


3. Enjoy the "Time Off"
Don't beat yourself up about not clipping every coupon or running out to get every deal.  Hopefully you have some sort of stockpile so that you can rest and enjoy the time away from the stores and give your hands a break from clipping.  Be intentional about relaxing and being refreshed during this time.  Focus on what you might have been too busy or stressed for, and take advantage of this time.


Check back as I finish up the series with Part 3 with some tips on how to move forward....

7 Tips to Avoid and Deal with Coupon Burnout ~ Part 1

With as much fun as it is to find deals and save money, do you ever feel overwhelmed?  Stressed out about using or sorting coupons?  Nervous about going to the store and dealing with cashiers?  Do you wonder if it's worth it anymore? You might be experiencing "Coupon Burnout".

Until just recently, I haven't been to Walgreens or Rite-Aid in about 3 months - crazy right??  I'd gotten a little burned out with shopping, coupons, Register Rewards, blogging about all the detailed deals.....the whole thing.....often called "Coupon Burnout".  You may have noticed a lack of "wrap-ups" and store deals being posted....and more freebies, online deals, and how-to's.  I didn't originally intend to take so much time off, but now that I think about it, it's been quite a while.

We had a lot going on with major home renovations, trying to keep up the blog, and just being a mom and wife, so once I used up all my UP Rewards at Rite-Aid and Register Rewards at Walgreens, I took some time off to regain some sanity....and hopefully a little passion for getting deals again.  Not that I'd completely lost it, but "playing the drugstore game" can take quite a bit of mental energy and time - both of which were dwindling.

{source}

We had a great stockpile built up, so I could take a break without worrying about running out of anything (though we came close with tp, lol).  I still bought the Sunday paper, usually, but was very relaxed on getting the coupons clipped and sorted.  We just went "shopping" in our basement "rebate room" for toiletries, diapers, wipes, and gifts.....and in our pantry for most of our groceries and paper goods.  Of course we did still have to go to the grocery store for produce, milk, bread and things, but usually only every other week and even then the lists were pretty short while we relied on the stockpile.

A great benefit of stockpiling is just having what you need on hand so that you have the ability to buy deals as they come around and not have to pay full price for things.  It frees you to shop on your own time table instead of running out to buy full-price ingredients for every meal or full-price shampoo or razors .  In this case, I was able to use our stockpile to take "time-off" of  "couponing" and take care of my family, home, and well-being without having any reason to worry.

 {Our "Rebate Room" - diapers, wipes, lotions, soaps, feminine care, medicine, vitamins, dental, hair care, makeup, razors, gift stash....etc.}

 {Pantry Stockpile Shelf #1: cereals (normally fill the top shelf), snacks, beans, salsa, soup, juice, crackers, peanut butter and jelly...etc. Out of the picture are Kleenex's and TP above the fridge}

{Pantry Stockpile Shelf #2: dishsoap, handsoap, paper towel, pasta, ziploc bags, dishwasher detergent, cakes/frostings, baby food/cereal and formula}

Sometimes I would be browsing the deals blogs or hear about a great deal from my sister or friend, and kind of panic get concerned that I was missing it......but then I would remind myself that deals run in cycles, and they'll always come around again.....there's always another deal around the corner.  And I would rest, knowing that we had everything we needed on hand and it was no big thing to miss a few deals.

Of course another great benefit of a stockpile is being prepared and having peace of mind in case of an emergency, natural disaster or job loss.....and, while I initially took a break for my own sanity, during my "hiatus", my husband was unexpectedly let go from his job and transitioned into starting his own business and working from home.  This would have been very difficult and extra stressful if I was worrying about what we'd have for dinner, or how to afford soap and diapers.  Because we shop ahead of time and typically save 80-90% on our household needs, that was a great burden lifted off our shoulders.

It's been a very busy season for us and "burnout" is never fun, but I'm glad I was able to recognize it and had the ability to stop for awhile and rest.  I think it's about over and I'm feeling rejuvenated and ready to get back into it!  It's good timing too, because there are some items that are getting low and things need to be replenished.  =)

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Coupon Burnout happens to all of us - whether you're a newbie just starting out and learning the ropes, or a veteran couponer who feels like they have it all together.......there usually comes a time where you just get overwhelmed, it seems like too much effort and you may want to give up completely.
Stay tuned for the next in this series for some practical tips and advice about dealing with feeling burned out.  Please comment if you have any suggestions for avoiding burnout!


*I'm also thinking about writing a future post about how to maintain a stock-pile, maybe include some "rules" you'll want to follow to make the most of it, and how to store things when you don't have a "rebate room".  Let me know if you're interested in something like that, and what questions you might have about stockpiling.

DIY: How to Save Money on Haircuts at Home!

Cutting hair at home is a great way to save money.  It tends to make people a little nervous since we're not all "professionals", but it's nothing to be scared of!  There are so many resources available to learn how, and hair grows back, so it's not all that risky.

I have a few very talented friends who cut hair professionally, and do a wonderful job, but at $10-40 a pop with a family of 7 it's just not in the budget.

We recently had family pictures taken and I realized the day before, that my oldest two boys had both nearly turned into "Cousin It".  They both like their hair a little "beachy" long, but I knew it was getting too long. 

I normally cut the family's hair myself, but since I had very little time before pictures, I thought real seriously about taking them somewhere to get it done.  I tried to convince myself that it would be worth it to spend the money (2 boys haircuts + tip + gas to get to the mall = $35ish)......but then I remembered a couple times we took them somewhere to get it done "right" and it......um, wasn't.  I always thought that you can't hardly mess up a boys haircut, and I was proved wrong!  So, I decided to risk it - I don't do a bad job (IMHO), but family pictures are a bad time to possibly make a mistake that you hope will "grow out", but have no time for!

Here's my oldest before:

{11 days before family pictures - cute, but I wanted to see his eyes!}

 {beginning of the haircut, after spraying it to get damp}

After:

 

This cut was a little bit of a challenge, because he wanted it to stay long-ish, but I needed it out of his face.  I've done better, but I thought it was definitely good enough for pictures.  Of course he ended up wearing his favorite hat for most of them, but you could at least see his eyes, haha!

The phrase "Practice makes perfect" definitely applies here!  I've gotten better at cutting hair by simply practicing.  My sweet dad used to let us cut his hair when we were growing up to get some scissor time.......my mom stood by and gave us tips, but I'm sure we butchered it a time or two (now that I think about it, she probably just fixed it once we were out of sight, lol)!  

Then when I was a young woman I gave my husband and his brothers a few hair cuts, and for the past 12 years I've been the hair cutter of our home - at least for the boys!  I haven't braved the girls yet (except an occasional trim)......but I'd like to save some money there too - and watching the videos below on cutting womens and girls hair/bangs has really encouraged me to try it.  =)

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Edit: Since I originally wrote this post, I've ventured into cutting girls hair and it's been great!  I started with just little trims here or there, but my youngest daughter, Emma, wanted shorter hair (6-7 inches shorter!) and I stepped up to the challenge of a "real" haircut, (shown below) with very pretty results, IMO.  =)
And a couple times now she's taken her hair into her own hands and I've had to "fix" it by cutting many inches off - frustrating to lose her pretty hair, but I'm happy to not have to shell out a lot of money to have a salon fix it.  My oldest daughter, Grace, has also asked for bangs and layers and it has turned out beautifully - and the last time we took off 10 inches because she wanted to donate it.

Things I've learned along the way:

• Always remember that you can cut more off, but you can't add it back.
• You want to cut your hair when damp - it's easier to cut, and cutting dry hair causes it to fly everywhere.  Hair does shrink when dry though, so keep that in mind - especially with bangs. Cut off less hair than what you want the finished length to be.
• Go slow as you're learning, but don't be afraid - it will grow back.
• Watch a professional.  When I have gone to get my own hair cut at a salon or taken the kids in, I've watched how they cut, hold their hands, point the scissors.....to get a better understanding myself.

Supplies:

• Clippers - Clipper kits are wonderful for the boys haircuts. We have a Wahl Set similar to this Wahl 79900B Clip-N-Trim 23-Piece Complete Haircut Kit that I think we got at WalMart years ago for about $25.  Ours includes clippers, guards (for cutting different lengths) scissors, combs, clips, a cape, blade oil and cleaning brush, a storage case...etc. We've definitely gotten our money out of it!  The blades are a bit duller now, and I'm thinking about upgrading, and this Wahl 79524-1001 Deluxe Chrome Pro with Multi-Cut Clipper & Trimmer, 27 Pieces looks like a good value!  I've got a good amount of Amazon credit from Swagbucks, so getting it for free would be a really good deal.  =)
• Scissors - You need good quality, sharp scissors for precise cuts and easy trimming.  Regular household scissors will make it much more difficult to get a good cut.  Haircutting scissors are beveled so that they cut down and through the hair where as other scissors will just push the hair forward and munch it in small clumps. Clipper sets will usually include a pair, but if you don't have one, consider a pair of professional scissors like these Tweezerman Styling Shears.
• Thinning Scissors - Not a necessity, but I've been considering getting a pair of Thinning Shears to help blend and texturize the layers when I cut the kids hair. It's very hard to make a mistake using these - bonus!  =)

Resources:

• "Haircutting For Dummies" - I haven't read this myself, but have heard it's a great reference to learn how to cut hair.  I'm thinking about checking to see if I can get it at our library.
• Here's a blog about How to Cut Your Own Hair with some good practical tips - I think I might try this "Ponytail Trick" for "How to Cut Layers" for my daughters hair! (All the comments sound like it works great!)
• HairFinder.com - lots of great information on styles and cuts (it is a little ad heavy, just don't click on those)
• How-to article - read this article from Dollar Stretcher on how to cut your hair.

Helpful Videos:

• YouTube - there are tons of videos on how to cut hair - amazing resource!
• How to Get Side Swept Bangs - with scissors. I'm thinking of using this tutorial to do my own bangs soon - my sister does hers all the time and they look great! 
• Cutting Your Hair at Home - Introduction to cutting hair at home (click below video to go to supplies needed, women's cut, men's cut...etc.)
• How to Cut Women's Hair (simple cut and bangs) - Great video tutorial! Covers how to cut a guide and follow that to make sure your length is even.  (Learn how to prep hair and section it for the women's cut)
• How to Cut Men's Hair
• How to Cut Your Hair with Layers - this girl makes it look soo easy and her hair is beautiful!
• How to Easily Cut/Trim Hair Nice and Even
• How to Cut Layers using the "Ponytail" method - I mentioned the "Ponytail Trick" above. This video is actually a commercial, but imagine using a ponytail holder instead, and you can easily see how to get layers - easy peasy!
• How to Cut and Layer Long Hair - she explains the kinds of scissors she uses and cuts her own - then shows how to thin thick hair.
• How to Cut and Style Side Swept Bangs - with a razor
• How to Cut Boys Hair
• How to Cut Girls Hair

Don't be afraid to try - it's not as scary as you might think.  What do you have to lose? You could save SO much money (and time) by cutting your own/your families hair! Hair grows back and you could always get it fixed if you really need to.

Have you ever cut hair yourself, or someone else's hair?  How was it?  Was this helpful?  Is this something you think you could try out and save some moola??