Budget Friendly Homeschool Resources
Updated: Sep 26
The fact is that homeschooling is inherently budget friendly when considering the options for education. Private schools and preschools have tuition. Public school is paid with tax dollars and is not "free": We are paying indirectly for it through our property taxes (whether renting or not), especially in the neighborhoods with "good schools". There is no such thing as a "good school district". According to the Census bureau we are paying on average $15,633 per pupal per year for Public schools. See Census article here
Homeschooling can be done on a shoestring budget. Here are some budget friendly resources you can incorporate in your homeschool.
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Budget Friendly Curriculum resources
Shop Second Hand
Garage sales, day care closing sales, thrift stores, FB marketplace and online resale stores are great places to buy homeschool supplies and text books. Homeschool groups also host used curriculum sales where homeschoolers can buy and sell materials, either by consignment or in a flea market set up.
Utilize online Resources
Youtube, free online prinables, free typing websites are all great resources. Need a first grade math worksheet for today's lesson? They are easy to find online. Click for more info about online learning resources.
Assemble your own science and art projects.
When you buy Science kits, Art kits and activity subscription services, you are often paying for the convenience of it all put together, the staff to assemble it and any packaging involved. Often, it is less expensive to collect and buy the supplies separately.
Make a homeschool Registry
This is a good way to ask for help and support from your friends and family. You can put homeschool related items on an online wish list. This is also a good way to organize your purchase wishes and save them for later. Click to see our tips for creating a homeschool registry.
Buy Used DVDs
Streaming services can be costly, especially if you have a few accounts. They give the illusion of having many choices, but in reality your family may not be interested in the movies and shows that are included. Used DVDs are great for many reasons including saving money. You can also find documentary DVDs and fitness DVDs second hand that are great for homeschooling. Click for more reasons used DVDs rock!
Budget friendly field trip resources
Visit local history museums
There is probably a small history museum near you. They are often free or almost free to attend because they are tax funded. These museums are usually run by volunteers who are just waiting for someone like you and your family to visit.
Field trip tours are great
The Police department, fire department and Post office will give your small group a tour for free. I can not speak for all departments, but my family has personally done it before. Call your local office and set up an appointment. Click to see more field trip tips.
HSLDA is a great homeschool resource
HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) is a great resource in the homeschool community. They provide legal protection from the lawfare that is used by corrupt school administrators against homeschoolers. They also provide grants for homeschoolers. Visit their website for information about donating or applying for a grant. https://hslda.org
Teacher Discounts are often extended to Homeschool Parents
Retail tore teacher discounts are often extended to homeschoolers. Museums often offer them too. A HSLDA membership is one way to offer proof of homeschooling.
Vacation Off-Season
One benefit of homeschooling is we can make our own schedule. Going on vacation on a Tuesday in September or during the week outside of school breaks will save you money on flights and hotels. Resorts and theme parks are not as crowded so you will spend less time waiting in lines for attractions. Click for more scheduling tips.
Prepare Meals at Home
Another benefit of homeschooling is we are home more often than our public school peers. We have the time to dedicate in making our own coffee drinks, prepare chili from scratch and heat chicken nuggets in the toaster oven instead of going through the drive through. Being at home means you can make decisions that add value to your family, not to some faceless corporation. Click for more meal prep tips.
Hire a Babysitter or Nanny
As a homeschooler, you may still need part time childcare for dentist appointments, date night, or as a "substitute teacher" so you can have a sick day. A nanny is a more budget friendly option than a daycare or school. Click for more nanny benefits.
Budget friendly social opportunities
Host Your Own Meetups
You should be hosting meetups with friends anyway as a way to maintain friendships in real life. However, when planning your homeschool, joining a co-op, gymnastic class, micro-school or other program is a financial and time commitment, since you have to both travel there and spend money, even if you can't attend every session. Conversely, if you host your own meet-ups there are plenty of other ways to socialize. Hosting your own activities means you choose the cost, location and guest list. Here are a few ways you can socialize in a budget friendly way.
Host your child's birthday party at home or at a rented hall.
This is an inexpensive, low key way to celebrate a birthday. It can be fun for all ages; from crawling babies to board game playing teenagers. Click to see our DIY birthday party tips.
Host a Home Playdate
Home playdates are a low key and inexpensive ways to meetup with friends. They are fun for all ages, from crawling babies to board game playing teens. They are also great for indoor fun during the cold weather months. Here are some tips to make your playdate fun and safe.
Host a Moms Nights' Out
Us moms need fellowship with our friends too and a time to let our spouse handle the kids. Invite your friend for coffee or dinner at a counter service restaurant for a budget friendly meal. Or invite others over to your house to chat. Moms' parties are also a fun way to get together as a group. Play a party game, do a craft or just chat over some good snacks and company. Here are some tips to make your moms' night great.
Realistically, homeschooling may require lifestyle changes in your life.
Help lower the cost of living by voting 'no' on all new taxes.
One of the reasons the cost of living is so high is due to the high budgets of local tax funded, government services. Government spending inherently causes inflation, which raises the cost of everything, whether a federal, state, or local level. What if you only paid for fire, police, and road maintenance in your property taxes and everything else had a crowd funding page? Americans would have vastly more financial freedom. Click for ways to decrease the cost of living by lowering taxes.
Be the village! Our community thrives when we help each other.
Voting pro-homeschool, participating in a meal train and supporting businesses that cater to the homeschool community are all ways to help our community. Here is a list of ways to support homeschooling. You can invite others to support home education by sharing it.
Vote NO on School Choice Voucher Laws.
School choice voucher laws do not help homeschoolers. We already have school choice. These laws are Big Government bureaucracy disguised as "help". They are creating a huge legal mess for families. Click to see our article about how voucher programs harm our community.
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