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Homeschooling on a Budget -5 tips to SAVE BIG $

9/12/2016

8 Comments

 
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Homeschooling can cost as much or as little as you want it to...and guess what?  It doesn't matter how much you spend according to statistics, you will still be cranking out amazing kiddos.  Statistics have shown that the income of parents who homeschool in no way reflects the education the child receives.  However, some of us have tighter budgets than wish lists so here are a few sound tips for saving money and homeschooling on a budget.

​1. SHOP USED
Just like I learned years ago in college, you can spend a lot, or a little on your textbooks and the only difference seems to be the amount of money left in your wallet.  Used textbooks or curricula are the way to go when you are on a budget, let someone else take the depreciation hit (kinda like when you drive a new car off the lot and it drops a few thousand in value).  Some of my favorite places to pick up the curricula I want for my kiddos are:
- Ebay
-Homeschool Classifieds
-Craigslist
-Local Facebook swap groups

2. Join A Group
If you are not already part of a homeschool group, now is the time to start.  Some families link up with others in their church, their friends, or even their community.  If your group doesn't already swap or rent books to one and other, head up the movement.  All it takes is a bit of organization and a "librarian" to keep tabs on things.  You can nominate someone to record who borrowed whose books and viola, you are in business.  If this doesn't work you can opt for a rental program among friends as well.
3. Check out Free Online Resources
If all else fails, you can homeschool virtually free, with a printer and a little leg work.  Here is a fantastic list of places to look for free curricula, unit studies, or topics of interest...(Including some free planners here)

-The Frugal Homeschool Mom
-Easy Peasy Homeschool
​-Homeschool Free For Shipping
​-Freely Educate
​-YouTube
-Homeschool Share
-Schooling a Monkey
-Year Round Homeschooling
​-Free Homeschool Deals

4. Combine Grades
If you have more than one child that you are teaching and your children are only a year or three apart, consider teaching them the same subjects together so you aren't buying individual grade levels.  I also don't ever buy grade level kits.  The beauty of homeschooling is that we don't have to use the same guidelines as a public school, who says your child who is 7 can't learn alongside your 9 year old when reading or doing science?
5.  Don't Spend $ on Pre-K or Kindergarten 
 This is too easy to just do for free or next to nothing so don't waste your cash on curricula for this age.  Let them play and incorporate reading to them, file folder games (you can print tons free or make your own), use what you have around the house and don't stress about it.  Here are a few of my favorites:

-Itsy Bitsy Fun
-Homeschool Preschool
-From ABC's to ACT's
​-Playdough to Plato
-Worksheet Fun
So see, its not so hard to save some cash and still homeschool.  It is all about the creativity and your willingness to think outside the box.  Here's to a great homeschool  year!
Did you like this post?  I think you would love these...
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Best Printer for homeschool families
So, you think you want to homeschool...
5 ways to improve your homeschool day
8 reasons every parent should consider homeschooling


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8 Comments
Tara Mitchell link
9/12/2016 08:04:36 am

Thank you so much for including Homeschool Preschool in your list! I'm so glad you enjoy our printables and posts! I've shared this fabulous post on Twitter, FB, and Pinterest!

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incidentalfarmgirl link
9/12/2016 12:50:35 pm

You are most welcome Tara, and thank you for the return favor!!!

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Alicia Owen
9/14/2016 11:02:11 pm

There is such a plethora of homeschooling resources online now. It's great! Makes it nice for those of us willing to do a little extra work and spend less money. :)

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incidentalfarmgirl link
9/16/2016 02:42:59 pm

It sure is helpful, isn't it, makes me wonder how in the world the pioneers of the modern homeschooling movement did it just 20 years ago!

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Heidi Villegas link
9/20/2016 09:54:43 pm

Great article! I am actually a public school teacher of 25 years. If I could have afforded to stay home and teach my own 4 children (now grown up---I'm a grandma), I would have. I admire you!

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incidentalfarmgirl link
9/21/2016 06:08:01 am

Heidi
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It sure isn't easy but hopefully will be very much worth it!

Reply
KT Brisom link
1/20/2017 09:31:24 am

We do or have done all of these things. They're great ways to provide a quality education on the cheap!

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No Fuss Tutors link
2/13/2021 03:44:14 pm

Some beautifully designed worksheets for kindergarten: https://www.nofusstutors.com/worksheets-for-kindergarten

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    Wife to a wonderful husband, Daughter of the King, Mother of 6 (one with an xtra chromosome), and an incidental farm girl.

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