Homeschooling on a Budget – Creative Ways to an Excellent Education
Homeschooling on a Budget – it can be done!
Homeschooling does not have to stress your budget, even with multiple kids! It can easily be done (and done VERY well!) on a budget. Below I’ve compiled some key ways to save some money and stress ☺
Choosing Curriculum
Probably the biggest chunk of your homeschool budget will be allocated to curriculum.
That’s ok, it can still be easy to find ways to save and to not overspend when choosing your homeschool curriculum.
When researching or shopping for curriculum, be patient – don’t rush to purchase. Take notes of what you’re interested in and shop around. These days there are so many places to buy books, textbooks/curriculum included.
Here are some great resources for purchasing books/curriculum other than direct from the manufacturer. These are just a few places to purchase pre-owned or even new books that are being resold:
Homeschool Classifieds (also a great place to resell your own books!)
Facebook Marketplace as well as local FB homeschool groups
Be creative
Cherry pick
Many curriculum brands offer discounts when you purchase a whole set from them. Whether it’s a grade level set or teacher manual, student workbooks, test books etc.
While this is usually less expensive than buying each item outright from the manufacturer, there is another way to stretch your dollar.
Cherry pick – that is, choose pieces from different places or sellers. It’s basically customizing your child’s curriculum, to make it work best for them.
This way will require a little more work on your part, but it can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. By taking the time to research and shop around, you are more likely to get a better deal.
I prefer to “cherry pick” or customize my curriculum choices for my own kiddos, so I don’t purchase whole sets.
I make a big list of all that I am interested in for the upcoming year and spend time searching for the best deals for each item. Again not rushing to purchase items not only helps you make sure you’re making the best choice, but it can also give the time to shop around and save some money.
Plan early
Homeschool planning is one of those tasks that can leave you not knowing where to start. But mapping out what curriculum you’d like to use for the next school year at the end of the current year can be a big budget saver!
Knowing you have a few months to research and shop around and find the pieces you’d like to use is a great feeling. There are also numerous sales throughout the year with some of the bigger homeschool curriculum websites that you may be able to take advantage of.
In addition to sales, make sure to subscribe to any website that you may purchase curriculum from. There are often coupon codes and offers for subscribers to a lot of retail sites.
Your homeschool budget BFF
The library! I have said it numerous times ha, the library is hands down the best homeschool resource out there and it’s FREE!
Planning unit studies? Search your library catalog online and reserve ALLLLLL the books on the unit study you will be teaching.
Unit studies are a great way to homeschool on a budget, and with the library and some internet research can be completely free but still so enriching.
Libraries are also a wonderful (did I mention free?!) resource for audio books, DVDs, music, reading programs, book clubs and classes. Make sure to check the schedule for all of the libraries within your county. Usually each branch has a slightly different offering schedule, so it’s worth looking into.
Combine subjects
Another sort of obvious tip for homeschooling on a budget – if you are homeschooling multiple ages is to combine subjects whenever possible.
Besides the core subjects like Math & English/Language Arts etc., pretty much all subjects can be tailored to fit all ages.
History, geography, science, art, music and so on can be so much fun to all learn together.
Younger ones can color maps or draw pictures relating to the subjects being taught, while older children can delve deeper into the subject writing reports or working on a project.
This will save you a lot of money! It’s also really fun to all learn together. Creates great dinnertime talk around the table 🙂
Use notebooks instead of writing in workbooks
Another good idea is to buy some inexpensive spiral notebooks, or composition notebooks, to have your kids do their work in, instead of the actual student workbook.
You can then save the workbooks for younger siblings that will eventually be taught that subject. Or, if you’re finished with them, you can sell the “clean” workbooks.
Free resources
Again, library!
But also, so many great online resources. Here are a few favorites:
Typing.com – Free typing practice and lessons, made fun. Perfect for all levels and ages.
Home Spelling Words – Great all in one spot for spelling practice for K-9th grade. Lists to study, worksheets & games to practice and even tests are available.
Daily Grammar Lessons Online –This site offers a different, brief grammar lesson every day. Suitable for all ages, and can even be a group problem if you are schooling multiple kids.
Khan academy – Such a fantastic resource! From kindergarten, through SAT prep and beyond – this site has you covered! All free and great quality content.
Teachers Pay Teachers – Not completely free, but a lot of freebies are available. Also, many low cost options to download and print.
Ambleside Online – A wonderful online resource that is Charlotte Mason-based providing a free curriculum. Tons of info! Even if your homeschool style isn’t CM, it’s worth taking a look.
Art Hub for Kids – I wrote about our love for this site in my Free Homeschool Art Curriculum post. An amazing resource, with many free instructional videos by an awesome artist who is a dad and draws alongside his kids.
YouTube – With parental restrictions on of course, kids can search, or you can search for documentaries on pretty much any topic. Also great for art instruction, cooking, crafts, and pretty much for teaching any skill.
Share with a Co-op
Check Facebook to see if there is a local homeschool group to share/swap curriculum. Or look for or start a homeschool co-op or group to teach some subjects as a group – share costs of purchasing curriculum with group members.
This is also a good idea for group discounts on field trips.
Buy only what you need
Again, seems obvious, but if you love stationary and school supplies like our family, it’s hard haha! Keep in mind what you already have. Maybe make a day of gathering all school supplies with your kids and sort through things.
Make a list of what’s low or missing. This is a great project for end of school year, allowing you to replenish slowly over the summer and not have to make a big back to school haul like every other family.
Another tip I’ve heard some families do to help with the homeschool budget, is to have a jar for all loose change. Make it a habit of throwing coins or small bills into whenever you can. It will add up and can help pay for replenishing your homeschool supplies!
Documentaries/movies
There are tons available on YouTube. Also on streaming services you may already pay for like Amazon Prime, Netflix or Discovery Plus.
Research field trips
Another great idea is to check into what local attractions, museums, theaters etc. offer as a homeschool discount. Also a great idea when traveling!
Ignore social media!
Social media can be a great way to connect with others, but it can also quickly make you feel like you aren’t doing enough. Or like you aren’t doing “it” (whatever it is, in this case homeschool!) right.
If you find yourself scrolling and comparing your life to someone else’s, maybe take a break.
There is a fitting quote, something about how comparison robs us of all joy – and it’s so true. Stay confidently in your lane!
This can also help tremendously in not being “influenced” to make a purchase you really don’t need or shouldn’t do.
You can most definitely homeschool on a budget!
Homeschooling on a budget can most certainly be done, and it can also easily become a habit for years to come.
You can give your children an enriching, excellent education without overspending or worrying that are not able to give them “enough”.
With a little creativity and the ideas above hopefully you will find what works for your family without stretching your wallet too much!
