I avoid shaving, but about once a month shave with a razor and start my beard from the beginning (mainly to avoid getting beard tan lines). I do not use shaving cream, just a razor and water. And before someone asks, no, I very rarely get a shaving cut.
Shaving cream is a real waste of money in my opinion, and a beard has the great advantage of being both a fashionable item that can be altered as well as a conversation piece.