Looking for ways to homeschool on a budget? When we first started to homeschool we were on a really tight budget. Now we have been homeschooling on a budget for 4 years. I remember when we first started to homeschool, I was completely overwhelmed. There are so many different curriculums to choose from, I didn’t even know where to begin. I was blessed with wonderful friends who helped guide me. However, the ultimate choice of the curriculum we used was up to me.
A good friend of mine took me to my first homeschool fair. There was so much awesome material there! Most of it was great, but I remember thinking that everything was so expensive! I will be honest with you, in the beginning, I couldn’t find anything that was my idea of cheap. If you search the web right now, most full curriculums are between $200 and $500. When you’re homeschooling and you’re on a budget or you have more than one child that’s a hefty price tag!
Now that I am four years into our homeschool adventure, I have found new ways to homeschool on a budget. I have more knowledge and I don’t stress quite as much about what curriculum we will use. I know that no matter where I get my material or how much it cost, my children will be learning.
Maybe you are on a budget like me and need some budget-friendly ways to homeschool? If so, I have a great list for you! I am sharing these with you because I want you to know that you don’t need the most expensive curriculum for your child to learn. I want to encourage you to keep going no matter what your homeschool budget might be!
A COUPLE HOMESCHOOL TIPS FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOL BUDGET
- You don’t need a curriculum for Preschool
Preschool-aged children should be learning through play. You would be surprised what your preschooler will pick up just by playing with play-doh. For example, play-doh comes in different colors so you would talk about the colors of the play-doh. Normally play-doh kits come with different shapes so you would talk about the different shapes you are using with the play-doh. Another example would be, taking a walk down a nature trail and observing the different types of leaves or insects you might find. Playing with your preschooler, talking with your preschooler and reading to your preschooler is enough. Don’t feel like you need to buy a curriculum.
- You don’t need the most expensive items for your children to learn
If you purchase a $300 Science Curriculum on the Solar System, your child will learn about the Solar System. If you watch free videos on the Solar System and read free books from the library about the Solar System; your child will learn about the Solar System. If you can afford it and you want to purchase an expensive kit, that is completely up to you. However, if you can’t don’t feel like you have to. It is really not necessary. No matter which route you decide to take know that your child will be learning.
- If you know basic Math and Phonics save money by not purchasing the Teachers Manual
I have noticed that with most curriculums the Teachers Manual is sold separately. I know basic phonics and basic math so I haven’t purchased a Teachers Manual yet. Now, when my son starts Algebra, I will probably need to spend the extra money and purchase the Teachers Manual. Until we reach that point, I will save the money.
10 WAYS TO HOMESCHOOL ON A BUDGET
1. Check your thrift stores
We were on a really tight budget when we first started to homeschool. My favorite places to check was the thrift store! Don’t be afraid to purchase material from thrift stores or used bookstores. Yes, you can find homeschool material at thrift stores. When I first started homeschooling I found a full set of Hooked on Phonics material from a local thrift store for $10! This set was normally around $100 or more. I took this as a sign from God! That he wanted me to do this and as long as I keep going he will provide! This ended up being my favorite material. I have used it with both of my boys and will use it for my youngest one day.
2. Purchase items that you can reuse
For example, the Hooked on Phonics material comes with lots of books, letter cards, sight word cards, and CDs. These are things that I wouldn’t need to purchase again. I can use them over and over. You could also try photocopying pages from your student books instead of letting your child write in the book. If you do this, your other children can also use it.
3. Purchase curriculum that can be used for different grade levels
In the elementary years, you can use the same science and history material for all of your children. There is no need to purchase more than one curriculum for these subjects. If you will be learning about American History this week, let the little ones join in. Read to them and give them a copy of the worksheet. If all the little ones do is scribble on it, that’s ok! They may not remember everything you read about, but they will retain some of the information.
4. Go to your local Library
The Library offers so many different educational books and DVDs. If you want to teach your kids about World War II, you can find books on it at the library. If you want to teach your kids about insects, you can find books at the library. And, the library is free!
5. Use Free printables
The internet is full of free educational material. These are perfect if you are trying to homeschool on a budget. All you have to do is google “free 2nd-grade math worksheets” and boom, hundreds of items will pop up. Education.com is one of my favorites! They offer free worksheets for every grade and just about every subject.
6. Sign up for a free 30 day trial of Kindle Unlimited
Kindle unlimited is one of my favorites. You do pay a small monthly fee, but if you read a lot of books, it is totally worth it! There are thousands of kids books available right at your fingertips. You also don’t need a Kindle to use it. You can download the Kindle App to your phone, any tablet and even your computer. Try it out with the 30-day free trial and cancel at anytime! Just click this link to get started. OR if you are an Amazon Prime member you get accesses to Kindle Unlimted for free! Plus you get all the perks of Amazon Prime. Check out this article I wrote on Amazon Prime.
7. Join local Homeschool Facebook Groups
If you’re a Facebook user you can search on Facebook for local homeschool groups. Just go to the Facebook search bar and type in “your county/city + homeschool group”. So many moms are willing to help and may even have homeschool material they would be willing to sell for a small price. It never hurts to ask! It is also nice to have the support of other homeschool families.
8. Watch Videos on YouTube
If you have a smartphone or a tablet the chances are you have probably heard of YouTube. There so so many educational YouTube channels. You can find videos for adults and kids on pretty much any subject. We were studying The Declaration of Independence and we watched a School House Rock video just to help give the kids a little more understanding of what it is. My youngest son loves watching ABC nursery rhymes on YouTube. He has learned all of ABCs from watching videos.
9. Use your homeschool ID to get a discount on school supplies
Yes! Staples and Michaels Craft Store will give you the teacher discount. You just have to present some form of ID or paperwork showing that you homeschool. When you registered your kids for homeschool with the state they probably sent you a form back accepting your request. You should be able to bring this form with you as proof that you homeschool.
10. Use online resources
I mentioned free printables and YouTube, but there are so many other free or cheap educational resources online, I felt that it needed its own spot. One of my favorites is ABCMOUSE.COM You pay a small monthly fee and it is full of fantastic activities to help your, children, grades pre-k-2nd grade. I mean it is awesome. It is homeschool budget friendly and they now offer Science activities too! Another great site would be IXL.COM. They have activities and worksheets for every grade level. You can also find sites like http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ . This site is FULL of science information and designed to help kids learn.
I really want to encourage you to keep going. If you’re on a tight budget and feeling overwhelmed try using some of these resources to find cheap and even free material. Don’t feel like you need to spend lots of money. You don’t need the most expensive curriculum. You can do this!
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