Homeschooling on a Budget
Homeschooling can be incredibly rewarding, however, it can also be quite costly. Between curriculum, supplies, and field trips, homeschooling can be an incredible financial hardship. Through the years I have found some ways in which to keep homeschooling in my budget, and to provide enriching activities as well.
Back to school sales on supplies: Love it or hate it, those sales begin as early as June in some areas. Either way, I just take my time to graze and get a little here, and a little there. Glue is on sale for $0.25, so I get the year’s worth. The same is true with the crayons, colored pencils, composition books, scissors, markers, and other items go on sale. The other benefit of shopping this way is that each time that you go shopping, you are only spending a little bit on the supplies that will be needed all year long.
Amazon deals: Amazon has black Friday deals, cyber Monday deals, Prime day deals, and other random lightning deals. We ended up getting our laminator, as well as copy paper for the year through deals like these. The printer paper also works as art paper for the entire year as well.
Free zoo days: Some zoos will have free days to attend if you do not have room in the budget for a visit, or a membership. Memberships are one great way to go if if is something that you can do. The zoo in Tacoma has resident free days where residents can get in for free. Another way to get in if you don’t live in Tacoma is by participating in the library reading programs. Some of these programs have the incentive of getting into the zoo, and to certain sporting events for free.
Children’s Museum deals: There is a large Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia that offers free entry to families who are on EBT. Other ways to find deals for this museum is to look on Groupon, or Livingsocial. The Children’s Museum in Tacoma has pay as you can fees, so you can get in for free if you need to or pay what is that your family can afford.
Library Reading programs: Libraries often provide reading programs for free during the summer months. This is one way to encourage your children to read, as well as getting some free prizes. This year, our local library gave each child who finished the program a pass to the Storm basketball game, a Tacoma Rainiers game ticket, free breadsticks from Little Caesars, and the zoo or NorthWest trek pass.
Book It: Book It also works similarly, and has now been opened up to homeschooling families. By making, and meeting reading goals, the children can earn their very own personal pan pizza. It is fun, and you could even make charts for them to track their reading.
Live Library Programs: Sometimes the local libraries will have free educational programs. Our local library has story times, building block time, LEGO robotics including LEGO mindstorm, STEM days, music themed activities, crafts, and more. One time a reptile man came and taught about all sorts of reptiles that he keeps, and another time someone came from the zoo and spoke about certain animals habitats.
Museum cards through the library: Some libraries will provides passes that you can use your library card to check out. Locally, our libraries have a pass to the Washington State Museum of History, the Tacoma Art Museum, and the Museum of glass.
Libraries for books, and online resources: Not only does the library have books that can be checked out about all sorts of subjects, but there are online resources with homework help, researching help, and even assistance with finding a job or learning about certain computer programs. The libraries often hold classes for adults and teens on these subjects.
Free online programs:
Teach Your Monster to Read: https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
PBS Kids: http://pbskids.org/
ABCya: http://www.abcya.com/
Typing Mat: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/z3c6tfr
Xtra Math: https://xtramath.org/#/home/index
Kahn Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Used curriculum sales on Facebook or Craigslist – There is no reason to buy all of your homeschooling curriculum brand new, especially if you do not know if it is going to be a fit for your family, or child. There are used curriculum groups on Facebook, and curriculum can also be found on Craigslist, or OfferUp.
Alibris for novels: https://www.alibris.com – There are some great deals on here for new books, as well as used ones.
Pinterest: There are so many fun activities that are shared for free on Pinterest for every subject that you could ever want to learn about! There are science experiments that can be done out of everyday household items, Lego math activities, and so much more. Start a homeschool board, and just make sure to go back to it every now and then.
Youtube: Youtube should be used with caution, however, there are many videos that teach about holidays, how to do things, or songs that help people to memorize things. Here is one of my families favorite videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6DSMZ8b3LE
Co-Ops: Homeschool co-ops are setups like schools that basically only meet once a week, and every family has to have at least one member that will teach. These groups usually have fees that cover the use of a building, insurance, and class fees. The tuition per semester may seem like a lot, but what would it cost if you were to hire someone to teach each of your children these topics, or you had to pay to teach them yourself? The classes that my children have benefited from include: Shakespeare (including theater), performing arts, yoga, art, nature science, Lego robotics, music, countries around the world, and more.
YMCA: The YMCA can become expensive for some families, however, they also have a sliding scale for families depending on the annual income. YMCA classes include homeschool PE (depending on location), gymnastics, swimming, and karate. There are also art, piano, and other classes that are available for an extra fee.
Hopefully this compilation of money saving ideas will help your family better afford to be able to educate your children whether they go to school, or are learning from home. If you have more to add, please comment below with your suggestions.
I though congress passed a bill that would allow homeschoolers to get some of the tax dollars that we paid toward the schools that our children didn’t attend back into our pockets as we financed their education ourselves. Whatever happened to that? Perhaps we should strike.
There are certain states that do give reimbursents to homeschoolers, but Washington isn’t one if them.