How to Homeschool on a Budget

Last week we answered the question, “Can you homeschool for Free”?

This week, we are talking about some simple ways to reduce your homeschool costs and homeschool on a budget.

Curriculum

Curriculum is often one of the biggest costs of homeschooling. But there are ways to lower your costs when it comes to buying curriculum. I always like to remind people that bigger and more expensive is not always better. You can buy some curriculum books second-hand. You can use free worksheets from the internet. Or you can buy packages from lower cost websites like Teachers Pay Teachers. You could also consider radical unschooling, a type of homeschooling that doesn’t use any curriculum, hence zero cost.

School Supplies

You’ll have to buy at least some school supplies. Pencils, paper, notebooks, printer ink, are all things that you’ll need to have on hand. Save a little money by stocking up during back-to-school sales. You can also get a lot of great basics at dollar stores.

And, speaking of back-to-school sales, here’s a tip if you aren’t a fan of crowds. You can wait until school actually starts in your area. For us, we wait until after labour day. Then all the kids are in school, but the sales are still on and the crowds have dissipated.

Art and Craft Supplies

Homeschoolers have a lot of time to create, and tend to go through a lot of art and craft supplies. Dollar stores often have great craft sections and very reasonable prices. Or you can take advantage of teacher discounts at stores like Michael’s. You might need a teacher I.D. to get your discount, but they are usually pretty good at accepting a homemade, but official looking I.D. with you name and title.

Books and Reading Materials

We love books, as do many homeschoolers. But books are so expensive. Libraries are a great way to get your hands loads of books at zero cost. We also love to look for books at department stores like Marshals and Walmart, where books are often a little less than cover cost. Another great place to find seasonal books is the dollar store. From experience, the best place to find the really good books are in the seasonal section near activity books and not in the actual book section.

Field Trips and Outings

Field trips and outings are an important part of our homeschool. Life experiences and hands-on learning is a great way to learn. But admissions can add up quickly, especially for a larger family. To save some money, look for free days at your local museum or science centre as well as free events around town. If you are trying a new place and think it’s somewhere you’ll visit often, consider getting a membership. Many places even allow you to upgrade your ticket, applying the cost to the membership. You can also join a co-op or get a group together for a group discount rate.

Extra-Curricular Activities and Classes

Extra-curriculars and classes are a great way to personalize your child’s educational experiences. To save some money, consider activities that have lower start-up and equipment costs. Also consider the length of the activities. You don’t want to pay for a year’s worth of classes upfront, when they decide they don’t like it after a few weeks. There are also a lot of free classes online.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to break the bank. But it always helps to save a little money, here and there, What are your favourite ways to save money on your homeschooling?