I have two sections of hedges in front of my house that are about 41/2 feet high. I would like to cut them back to about 3 feet high. What is the right way to do this? Thank you.

It would be best to know what type of plant it is (and if it is a flowering variety) and what area of the country you live in, but here are some general standards.

You can safely trim them down to 2/3rds of what they are now... that is, down to about 3 feet, no problem.

Use electric or gas powered trimmers for that part.

After shaping them with the trimmers, go in and use loppers to take the big old stuff down about another 6-12 inches, so that the newer stuff will get most of the nutrients.

For more details, post what kind of plant the hedges are and where you live and I'll help you find more specific care info for them.

About the cheapest gas ones would be weedeater brand, same for the electrics. Though you may find a sale on a different one. Searching even the Lowe's site, a electric Black and Decker for just under 30, that is of course, you don't already have one.