There are countless ways to save money when homeschooling, but not every option is ideal. As homeschoolers, we often feel like we have to pinch pennies. But there are plenty of ways to stretch your school budget without hurting your learning experience.
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Easy Ways to Stretch Your Homeschool Budget
Many families choose to homeschool because they want to save money. One way to do this is to stretch your homeschool budget. Here are several easy ways to do that.
Save a little money from each paycheck
Put a little money back each week to go towards homeschooling. Either set this money aside in its own budget category or put it in an entirely separate account. You’ll be so glad to have money set aside when you need it.
Find a way to work from home to help with the cost too.
Hang on to textbooks and curriculum
Plan to reuse non-consumable texts with younger siblings. Even if something doesn’t work well for one of your kids, it may be perfect for another.
Take full advantage of sales
Look for library book sales, yard sales, and homeschool group used book sales. Check out sites like Thriftbooks.com.
Take advantage of selling
Make money for new curriculum and recoup some of last years’ budget by selling your books and curriculum at used curriculum sales.
Combine subjects
Don’t buy each child their own history or science curriculum. Combining subjects is an area where you can really save. You might change things up from year to year, but combine these subjects so you’re just buying one set of curriculum, rather than one for each child.
Use your library
I know this one is really obvious, but there are so many ways you can use your library.
Books are obvious but don’t forget about audiobooks, ebooks, videos, computer games, CDs, book clubs, and sometimes even free classes for great things like chess or music lessons.
Check what’s happening at your library! There might be more going on than you think.
Take advantage of freebies
Look for free trials, samples, sales, and classes from your favorite homeschool companies. Many will offer free trials before you buy their full product.
Use affordable or free online resources whenever you can
There are lots of free or inexpensive online resources available for homeschoolers.
A few of our favorites are:
- Super Teacher Worksheets for all sorts of maps, spelling lists, and so much more.
- Donna Young’s website for TONS of helpful forms and printables.
- Starfall is a great, free reading websites for early readers.
- Dance Mat Typing is a free source for learning typing.
- Homeschool Share offers loads of lapbooks, unit studies and printables.
Wait to buy
So many times I’ve seen something cool out there and had to fight the urge to hit the “BUY NOW” button. More often than not, if I hold off on buying something, I’ll find a more affordable version or scrap the idea altogether.
Take some time to consider your purchases so you don’t experience buyer’s remorse.
Avoid social media
If you’re struggling with balancing your budget, you may want to avoid social media. It’s hard to see all the bright and shiny things all your friends are sharing when your budget is strapped.
Seeing all the deals going on or the fun packages your friends are opening on Instagram only makes you feel worse.
Take a breather from social media. Be grateful for what you have on your shelves. Enjoy your kids and read a book together. It’s going to help your FOMO (fear of missing out) too!
Discount sites are a great way to find deals.
Check out discount sites for deals. Homeschool Buyers Co-op is a great place to find your favorite curriculum at discounted prices.
Only buy with a coupon code
There are so many deals out there on your favorite items, you should hardly ever purchase without a coupon code. Watch popular sales weekends like Black Friday or Columbus Day or Back-to-School sales to find some great deals.
Sign up for your favorite homeschool vendors’ email lists. They will often send new members a coupon code, and email subscribers are usually the first to get announcements of their sales.
If you can’t find a coupon code, email and ask. Sometimes there are unadvertised codes available for those who ask.
More on Homeschool Budgets
Budgeting to Homeschool on One Income