Saving $100,000+ using a FlowBee

[richonomics]

It's not just a 1980's infomercial product to poke fun at - it actually works, and quite well.  In case you aren't familiar with this vilified product, it's a crazy contraption that connects to your vacuum cleaner to cut your hair.

I reluctantly first began using it about 25 years ago before I could drive.  My parents were probably Mustachians, they just didn't know it at the time.  My mother wanted to extract every bit of value out of each haircut so she would let me and my brothers go entirely too long between cuts.  With my hair growing out of control and my mother not ready to spend another $10 for a haircut, I pulled my father's FlowBee out of the closet and experimented on myself.

All this time later, I am still using that same very FlowBee and even began to use it on my son too.  I figure I saved about $12K between cost avoidance and investment growth on those savings over this time period.  Should I continue to keep it invested for the next 25 years and continue to cut my hair with it (assuming I don't lose my hair first), plus continue to cut my son's hair....that should grow to over $100K.

Crazy to think about the cost of haircuts over the course of a lifetime.

[2ndTimer]

I have one and use it regularly.  Not being a hair artist I still have to go to the beauty school a couple of times a year to get the style cut back in but in between I use my Flowbee.  It paid for itself a while back so now it's all profit.

[richonomics]

I use mine every 4-5 weeks.  I wonder if you used yours more regularly to maintain the look/cut your stylist provides, you wouldn't need to go back. 

[lizzzi]

My sister-in-law is the world's cheapest person...I mean, this woman makes MMM look like a spendthrift. But she has perfectly decent-looking hair...a cute, stylish short haircut. I should have known, of course. When I complimented her on it, she said she always does it with her Flowbee.

[2ndTimer]

With the Flowbee the hair is sucked straight into a vacuum cleaner.

richonomics:  I used to use the Flowbee exclusively but my hair got more and more peculiar looking.  Now I alternate.  One trip to the beauty school and then a few weeks later a trim with the Flowbee.  I figure I am saving 50% that way.

[richonomics]

The funny story I wrote about the FlowBee, "Trimming Back," was actually my first blog post and dives into greater details.  The first time I used it 25 years ago, it took me about 3 hours.  I was slowly shortening my hair length because I feared I would screw it up.  I figured going slow would act as an insurance policy and that a hairstylist could fix it if I failed miserably.

It worked out great though.  Once I knew what length I ultimately wanted, I just noted the 2 or 3 length attachments that I used.  Now it takes about 5 minutes to do my hair including setup and tear down.  It always turns out the same...except for my slowly retreating hairline:(

There is no cleanup since the hair is sucked straight from the chomping teeth of the FlowBee right into the hose to the vacuum cleaner.  I suppose if you trim your neck hair, or what not, you will have some cleanup.

[jacksonvasey]

I recently started cutting my own hair with wahl clippers, but I was wondering if something like this existed, just to help with the mess.

Although, this reminds me of wayne's world:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AioVDsXidh0

[lizzzi]

For quick cleanups after trimming with the Wahl, I just use a hand vac. Easier than hauling out my canister vac, tubing, and all that.

[elaine amj]

Interesting. I cut my son's hair in the bathroom with clippers. Then it takes me 30 seconds to sweep up the hair on the floor. I must say, I'm rather proud of how nice his hair looks when I cut it :)

My DD and I have our hair cut by a stylist. I am too fussy to attempt to cut my own hair. One day I'll get brave enough to groom the dog by myself. For now, my poodle's cut is more expensive than my own AND he gets his cut more regularly.

[Astatine]

OK, so I finally watched a youtube video on someone using a FlowBee. DH was kinda freaked out watching it. I'd be vaguely tempted except we have a Dyson for pet hair vacuum cleaner and I would be too terrified to use a FlowBee with it. I think I'll stick with DIYing with electric clippers and scissors. Slightly curly hair covers a lot of sins :)

Interesting. I cut my son's hair in the bathroom with clippers. Then it takes me 30 seconds to sweep up the hair on the floor.

Yep. I do the same when I do my hair. DH puts on old pair of boxers and shaves his head outside in the garden (using the lounge room window as a quasi mirror) but I want a proper mirror to check how I'm going with hacking bits of it.

[Gerard]

DH puts on old pair of boxers and shaves his head outside in the garden (using the lounge room window as a quasi mirror)

This is awesome. If World's Biggest Cheapskates ever decides to become constructive/empowering and renames itself People Who Don't Give A Fuck What You Think, he should be the first guest!

[Astatine]

DH puts on old pair of boxers and shaves his head outside in the garden (using the lounge room window as a quasi mirror)

This is awesome. If World's Biggest Cheapskates ever decides to become constructive/empowering and renames itself People Who Don't Give A Fuck What You Think, he should be the first guest!

I should probably clarify this in the backyard and NOT the front yard...

[Cromacster]

I cut my own hair and just vacuum up afterward.  Not a big deal.  I didn't know this contraption was a real thing.  I picture this is how it would look.

[elaine amj]

I've been thinking about this (I know, i'm weird) and am still trying to understand - how exactly is a Flowbee different from regular clippers? Other than it attaches to a vacuum?

Like I said, I cut my son's hair in my bathroom and cleanup is super easy and he can just jump into the shower right afterwards.