How I Don’t Break the Bank Homeschooling 5 Kids

Homeschooling multiple grades on a budget is neither cheap nor easy. But there are definitely ways to keep on budget and make it work. Here are some strategies my family uses…

I truly love homeschooling. Even when I think my brain is going to explode, I am going to enroll all the kids in a boarding school, and I am going to retire in my 30s to live out my days in a beach bungalow with only my Kindle for company. Even then.

I love watching my kids learn. I love seeing their eyes alight with interest. Seeing them try and fail, then try again and succeed. I love the read alouds, the spelling lists, the confusing math problems, and the discussions about history.

But what I don’t love is the expenses that can crop up when homeschooling.

If not leashed or budgeted, homeschooling can get very, very expensive. There are curriculums. And field trips. And equipment. Books and DVDs and supplies.

And because we are passionate about our kids, we can unintentionally slide into the desire to do everything and get everything. Give our kids the very best. But the best – or what we think in that moment is the best – comes with a big price tag.

Time or money?

From the beginning, I wanted to avoid overspending. It’s been my goal to do this with creativity rather than dollars. I have always believed that everything requires either time or money. I was willing to put in the time before reaching for the money.

This worked for the most part, but there have definitely been some splurges. And with five kids in five different grades, I have to be really careful where those splurges happen.

If you’re also homeschooling multiple grades, then you probably know the pitfalls of this, as well as the benefits. After all, you can often reuse books and other resources from an older child with a younger one. But you still have to make the initial investment. And if they’re different types of learners, the hand-me-down method won’t always work.

So here are a few strategies my family uses to keep on budget and limit unnecessary spending when teaching multiple grades at the same time. Some you may already be using, but I hope you’ll find a few useful new ones.

Homeschooling Multiple Grades on a Budget

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• Look for resources that serve everyone, not just one child/grade

  It’s easy to get seduced by great curriculums or opportunities, but when you have multiple kids to teach, consider if it serves all the children, some, or only one. I only sign up or enroll in things that can be used across the board so my money is spent wisely.

This includes curriculum that works for multiple children who learn the same way and would all find it useful when they reach that grade. I sign up for sites like edhelper.com because I have access to worksheets, tests, and other resources for all my kids’ grades and it’s reasonably priced (and some are free).

• Ask for a group discount

This is one of the benefits of homeschooling multiple kids: Group discounts. Even if you’re not toting five kids, you can still ask. And if not for your group, perhaps there is something else that will entitle you to cheaper tickets to attractions and museums, such as bank member rewards, locals discounts, or even a school discount (this sometimes requires some explanation, but it’s worth the effort).

Even if you think your younger children won’t be interested in an art exhibit like your older child, exposing them to it anyway may awaken their interest. They may not appreciate a Monet, but at least you can teach them the difference between pastels and primary colors.

Also consider joining a homeschool co-op, which is ideal for field trips and shared learning opportunities. They are usually big enough to garner that group discount.

• Start at the dollar store

Depending on how good your local dollar store is, you may be able to cover school supplies in one trip to this mecca of school stuff. Unless it’s August and I can get notebooks for a quarter at Staples, this is my go-to place.

You can find school supplies for the kids, art supplies, and items for science experiments here at a good price. I have outfitted my classroom almost exclusively from our dollar store. Also, they carry writing prompts, workbooks, and other learning aids that are well worth the buck you’re spending.

My only caveat is to be mindful of your budget here. Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it won’t add up. Make a list, allow a little wiggle room for a good find, but otherwise, only spend what you plan to spend.

• Choose topics and resources that can be tweaked to cover multiple grades

Sites like Mystery Doug (free content without membership) and Mystery Science (offers homeschool discounts in March and August) provide science videos and lessons that span multiple grades. Your younger children can learn about the same topics as your older ones, but with varying levels of detail. (These sites are only an example as they are pricey.)

I like to cover topics all at the same time with my kids. When I create my lesson plan, I usually start with the highest grade because this one will require the most detail and difficulty. Then I work backwards, simplifying things for the younger grades. This makes it easier to teach (5 kids > 1 teacher) and allows my kids to share the learning as a group.

• The library is your homeschooling friend. Your best friend.

I would be utterly broke if not for the library. From study guides to copies of books for each kid so we can read it together, the library saves my bacon. Make use of your library’s online portal to request books you need, especially if your library system extends outside your neighborhood or town.

Before I buy any book, my first stop is the library. Only after exhausting their resources will I consider purchasing. And then it’s on to Thriftbooks because I can save money and gain rewards by buying used.

Take your kids to the library often so they get used to reading what’s there and working the online portal themselves. Help them navigate the stacks, both for fun and for study. This is a huge money-saver for my homeschooling budget.

• Use the internet for tons of free resources

Despite being part of the screen time we are always trying to limit, the internet is actually a wonderful homeschool tool. There are tons of blogs, YouTubers, and sites that can help you as a teacher, and your kids as students.

Look for bloggers who offer high-value freebies and information on their sites, and sign up for their emails. Bookmark websites that have safe content that your kids can use for research. Check out and subscribe to YouTube channels that help your kids with difficult subjects, or to help with dry topics.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• • MathAntics – Great for fun math explanations
  • Math with Mr. J – Also helpful with hard to understand math concepts
  • Mark Rober – An engineer who makes fun and informative videos
  • Homeschool Pop – I like these for my younger kids
  • SciShow Kids – Great for getting the science basics down
  • Crash Course – Fast-talking history and science lessons (slow the playback speed on these), but best for older kids (some mildly suggestive language)

These strategies have helped our family navigate homeschooling five kids in five different grades and I hope they’ll help you. Keep an eye on your budget, try to get the most bang for your buck, and never buy what you can borrow. When you put time and creativity into your homeschool, you can often save your money for later.

Check out the books and posts below for more homeschooling tips and ways to save money! Good luck!

 

Books on homeschooling that I highly recommend:

• Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning for Purpose and Peace by Pam Barnhill – Great for planning your year(s).
• Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson – Inspiration for when you’re having a hard day (or year). You can read my review here.
• Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson – A practical and aspirational guide.

 

Looking for more on homeschooling and budgeting? Try these popular posts:

10 Things to do Before You Start Homeschooling

How to Homeschool on a Shoestring Budget

10 Resources that Will Save Your Homeschool Money

 

[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]