Marriage is the one thing in our lives that has the greatest positive or negative effect on our well-being, psyche, and success. It impacts all we do. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s probably the hardest thing we do. That’s why I’m addressing it here.

Unfortunately, most of us marry young, before we have much knowledge and experience, not realizing the effect and import marriage will have on our future, and not truly knowing who we are, who we’ll become, or what type of partner we need.

In the US today, 40-50% of marriages end in divorce (to include 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc… marriages). Many more are unhappy or even miserable, yet persevere – let’s say another 40-50%. That leaves a small minority that are actually happy and functioning well.Continue Reading

Kids grow up quick. You don’t want to look back and realize you have missed out.

At times, it seems like you are hanging on by a thread.

For example, you take one kid to practice, and pick another child up from practice. Then there is homework to contend with, they have to be fed, and you have to play mediator when disputes arise with brothers or sisters.

Sounding familiar?Continue Reading

Happy Fathers’ Day to all you Dads out there!!

I want to give all of you dads a gift in honor of you on this day that we come together as a band of brothers – but you gotta work with me a bit.

We all want to be appreciated, respected, and celebrated – especially on a day like today. But sometimes it seems so superficial and empty because the message we get the rest of the year is that we’re not good enough, we need to be fixed, and we aren’t relevant – even when we fight our hearts out to provide, protect, and lead.Continue Reading

Instead of getting those last minute, not-quite-right gifts this year, check out these affordable (and awesome) finds any man will approve of. Get that Father’s Day shopping done early this year!Continue Reading

So a little while ago I decided to compare Harry’s with the Dollar Shave Club for myself. It was an experiment after a long debate to determine which one was the better option for me.

After 1 week of shaving with each, the winner is…………..

Well, it’s not that easy.

I decided to purchase each company’s premium blades so I could compare the best they each had to offer. Below I will discuss each company’s “club” structure, the blades, the handle(s), the shave cream, the aftershave cream, and any other additional products they have that I found useful.

Below I will discuss each company’s “club” structure, the blades, the handle(s), the shave cream, the aftershave cream, and any other additional products they have that I found useful.

Price Comparision

The Dollar Shave Club offers three different blade options which they autoship to you either every month or every other month. The price points are $1 for 5 of the twin blades ($0.20 each), $6 for 4 of the 4-blade model ($1.50 each), and $9 for 4 of the premium 6-blade model ($2.25 each).

Shipping and handling fees are free for all but the twin for which they charge $2 making those blades actually $0.60 each. You can add 6 ounces of their Shave Butter for $8, 3.6 ounces of their Post-shave cream for $9, and 40 of their “One Wipe Charlies” for your backside for $4.

Their handles are blade specific and are free. If you don’t want your order to ship (you want more than 1 or 2 months between orders), you must go online and delay or cancel your auto-ship order.

Harry’s, on the other hand, is more of a demand delivery. In other words, though they do have the option of a 2, 3, or 5 month auto-ship program, they also allow you to default to a ship on demand program where they ship when you order. Harry’s comes in at a slightly higher pricepoint overall, but they also have a bit more of a luxury feel in their design and packaging.

Harry’s only offers one 4-blade option, but you can choose whether to purchase them in a 4 for $8 ($2 each), 8 for $15 ($1.88 each), 12 for $20 ($1.67 each), or 16-pack for $25 ($1.56 each). They make their own blades in an impressive German factory that has been grinding German-engineered blades since 1920. You can also add 6.7 ounces of Harry’s Shave Cream for $12 (or 3.4 ounces for $8), 6.7 ounces of their Foaming Shave Gel for $12 (or 4 ounces for $8), and an ergonomically designed zinc alloy core with polymer coating handle that comes in your choice of 4 different colors for $10, or an engravable aluminum handle for $20 (engraving is $15). They sometimes promote a seasonal inspired handle at a price point from $15-25.

Packaging

My Dollar Shave Club shipment came in a regular box. When I opened it, the presentation was simple and nice. Nothing fancy. Just my products tossed loose in a box covered with some thick fenestrated black paper.

Harry’s also came in a regular shipping box, but each product was presented in it’s own attractive packaging. The visual appeal was much more gratifying and felt “high-class”.

 Harry’s wins this round.

The Handles

The handles were certainly very different. The Dollar Shave Club handle was just tossed loose in the shipping box and looked and felt like a Chinese-made prize from the bottom of a cereal box – but it worked fine. Again, nothing fancy, but very adequate and functional. Harry’s, on the other hand, was presented in it’s own well-done presentation box and felt and handled better than any shave handle I’ve ever had – but all I’ve ever used has been Schick or Gillette (I’ve never done the fancy “The Art of Shaving” deal). With Harry’s, I decided to try both their standard polymer coated zinc alloy core handle as well as the engraved aluminum handle. I really liked the feel and handling of the polymer coated one. The aluminum, though more expensive, left me a bit cold – in a literal sense as well as figurative.

 Harry’s won this round handily as well.

Shave Cream

The Dollar Shave Club shave butter felt thin and cheap going on, but oh so nice and silky after my shave. It also gave me a nice, close, smooth shave. Harry’s Shave Cream felt thicker going on and rinsed off cleaner, so left no silky soft feel – just a clean closely shaved face. The same for their Foaming Shave Gel. The problem with their gel, like any other, is that the gel continues to ooze out of the bottle after you spray some into your hand. I’ve always found this irritating because I like to keep my caps clean. I hate it when there’s gel in the caps and all over the top of the can when I want to use them. This was a tough call. I enjoyed all the products and thought they were all very well made with rich emollients. However, I’m going to give the edge to the Dollar Shave Club because of the feel of my face after my shave.

 Dollar Shave Club won this round.

Aftershave

With regard to the aftershave creams – both Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s were rather thin and unassuming. They both took a bit to absorb, but left no residue. They’re both fine and do what they’re supposed to do, however, I prefer something a bit stiffer and more lubricating.

I’d call this a draw.

The Blades

Finally, the blades. Dollar Shave Club simply rocked my world. Their 6-blade version shaved cleanly, smoothly, effortlessly, closely. It felt great and never cut me a single time. It lasted about a week before I noticed it pulling and needed to switch out. Harry’s 4-blader cut me in 5 places the first day, 2 the second, then once every day since (under my chin). I’m not sure why this is, but must be something in the engineering – though German-perfect – didn’t work as well for me.

 Dollar Shave Club wins this round. (see the 6 month follow-up below)

I like both products. I enjoy the act of shaving more with Harry’s handle and blades once I’ve got the blade “broken-in” but the first couple of days of each blade left me bleeding and frustrated. Overall, I felt safer and more comfortable with Dollar Shave Club’s products – from the shave cream to their blades. In the end, it’s all about the blade and the cream, isn’t it?

If I had to choose one, I’d probably go with Dollar Shave Club. But, I think I’m going to continue to use both. …….and their “One Wipe Charlies”, well, they’re not as nice as a bidet, but they do leave you feeling fresh. That menthol adds a little “kick”.

[Follow Up] So we’re now 6 months into this experiment. I’m pretty much using Harry’s exclusively. Much nicer product and my face got used to the blade.