Homeschooling on a Budget -5 tips to SAVE BIG $

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!

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