Are you looking for ways to homeschool your kids on a shoestring budget? Here are some of my family’s favorite tricks for learning richly while spending less…
Anyone who has ever taught kids or had to supply a classroom knows that those expenses can really add up.
I’ve heard so many stories of homeschoolers who purchased expensive curricula only to find out that it didn’t work for their kids. Or parents who had school supply lists that were as long as their arms.
Wait… I was that parent…
Anyway, the point is that education is expensive. Most of the time. So when we can find ways to save money or enjoy great resources for less, it deserves a Snoopy dance.
Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler looking to see if there are any ways to stay on budget you haven’t tried or a first-timer looking for the most frugal methods possible, I hope at least one of these tips helps you. And I also hope you’ll leave a comment or post to social media (#thejourneyathome) with your own awesome homeschool budgeting ideas!
How to Homeschool on a Shoestring Budget
[Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see below for more details]
Stock your classroom ahead of time
Kids being kids, supplies are going to be necessary. But it’s super easy to break your budget on supplies alone. I don’t know about you, but I get excited about all the cute erasers and have a bad habit of picking up this or that whenever I’m out.
But spontaneous buys or buying things you won’t need can really be a waste of money. To homeschool frugally, you need to make a list of supplies ahead of time and buy when they are cheapest.
This usually means going to the dollar store for arts and crafts supplies and stationary needs. It also means doing the bulk of your shopping in the summer when back-to-school sales are at their best.
If you’ve never homeschooled before, check out what other homeschoolers consider must-have supplies. Not every family is the same, but I know for me, this includes:
- Tons of stationery – pencils, binders, lined paper, sharpeners, etc.
- Art supplies – construction paper, scissors, glue, pipe cleaners, etc.
- Classroom needs – dry erase boards/markers, poster board, markers, index cards, etc.
Have a list of the things you want to get and then purchase them on sale or at a discount store. Stock up on as much as you can afford – hopefully enough to cover the entire year because mid-year school supply prices are not budget-friendly.
Consider skipping the expensive curricula
If you are distance learning, this tip won’t be needed as your school district should be covering the curriculum. But if you are homeschooling, then you may be considering purchasing a curriculum for your kids.
While I hear great things about so many of them, I personally have never used one. When I began homeschooling my kids, my goal was to do it as frugally as possible while still giving my kids a rich and thorough education.
It does require more effort on your part, but you save hundreds of dollars by foregoing a purchased curriculum (even more if you have multiple children).
I actually like winging it without a set curriculum. It allows us the freedom to learn the way we prefer and cover the topics we are interested in. (You can probably do this with a curriculum to some extent, but not as freely – or cheaply.)
Creating your own curriculum and worksheets can save you a lot of money on your budget, except what you spend on the printer paper and ink (I bought this laser printer a few years back because I knew I’d be printing a lot and wanted a more economical method).
Find reliable websites for worksheets
There are lots of times when we need worksheets for practicing and solidifying concepts in our children’s heads. And while you get that with curricula and in workbooks you can purchase, you can also find plenty of free resources.
Check Pinterest for free worksheets created by other homeschoolers. Sign up for their newsletter when they offer a freebie packet that your kids could use. There are so many great sources out there that cost no more than an email address, and that you can save quite a bit of your budget by printing online worksheets.
And if you find some reliable sites that have consistently helpful and high-quality worksheets and resources, then consider subscribing for what is usually a nominal amount.
My favorites are edHelper, Simple Homeschool, Simple Living, Creative Learning, and TeacherVision.
The library is your best resource
When I decided to focus on whole book learning (read more about this method here) with my kids, the library became my best friend (ok, it was always my best friend, but now even more so). The library’s offerings of fiction, non-fiction, and research books for a variety of ages makes it an invaluable FREE resource.
Keeping our homeschool budget small relies heavily on how many books we can get from the library rather than purchase. This includes books for my kids as well as research materials for me as we take this homeschool journey together.
The library has other advantages, too, like access to learning sites like Rosetta Stone, online requesting for books, and inter-library loan for wider selection. There are also very knowledgeable librarians who can answer questions and point you in the right direction.
Make good use of free trials
I love free trials because they are a great way to enjoy high-quality resources that I might not be able to otherwise afford. After schools were closed because of the pandemic this last spring, so many online resources opened themselves to the public so kids could keep on learning.
Take advantage of these. Try them out and enjoy the free week or month. And if you find that it really works for your family homeschool, then consider investing some of your budget into a subscription. Your trial period is the perfect time to test drive a resource and see if it clicks with you and your kids.
Some of my favorites are: Curiosity Stream, News-o-matic, and Memrise.
Free resources to check out are: Duolingo, Prodigy, and PBS Kids.
Look for passes
Field trips are an exciting part of learning, so see what you can get on the cheap. Look for season or yearly passes to children’s museums, zoos, and other learning facilities. You might pay a bit out of pocket, but you will save in the long run as you return multiple times.
If you are taking a vacation, this is also a good way to save money if you are planning on seeing the historical sites at your destination or along the way. Go on the website to see if you can save money by prepaying entrance or getting a family pass.
There are also lots of learning experiences that are free, such as tours at factories or exhibits. Look for free days or special hours that happen periodically. Some companies, like Bank of America, have events at family-friendly places like museums, and are free if you have an account with them.
Join a homeschool group
Another great way to homeschool on a budget is by joining a homeschool group. Not only do you meet up with like-minded people who know about the journey your’re on, you also have a chance for group field trips and discounts. (If there isn’t one close to you, try joining the Facebook group of the nearest one so you at least can get the important info in your region.)
We love homeschool bowling leagues and meeting for impromptu soccer matches. It’s great for socialization, and is either discounted or free. When a large enough group gets together, you can qualify for discounts at more expensive locations, like local schools do.
You also have a chance to do a curricula and book swap, go in for bulk school supplies that you can all split, and hook up with craftspeople or those with special skills that might be willing to teach workshops. The possibilities are endless.
I hope these tips help you succeed at homeschooling on a shoestring budget. Remember: You don’t have to spend a lot to give your kids the education they need and deserve.
Looking for more posts about budgeting and homeschooling? Check out these:
10 Resources that Will Save Your Homeschool Money
Frugal Friday: How to Budget for the New School Year
20 Books that Kids at Home Will Love (& Learn from!)
[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.]
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