Posted in School

There are millions of ways to homeschool your children for little to no money.  Any experienced homeschooler knows curriculum bought, can turn into curriculum unused.  Here are some ways to cut the costs associated with homeschooling.  If you have any great tips, please add them to the list.

1. Sometimes a curriculum can seem like an answer to prayer.  You make the decision to buy it, and begin implementing it, only to find it doesn't fit your needs.  This can be a costly mistake, even if you prucahsed used curriculum.  To avoid this, ask people in your homeschool group or even here on Homeschoolblogger and Homesteadblogger, if anyone has used the curriculum.  If they still own the curriculum, would they be willing to loan it to you for say, 30 days? 
2. Keep your eyes open for sales.  Make sure you know your prices, so you know if you are really getting a good deal.
3. Organize a curriculum swap with your local homeschool group, co-op or several area groups.
4. Look for FREE supplies in the oddest of places.  Ever visit an Expo, a dentist or dr office, a bank, Sam's club, a sales kiosk, etc where they have free items for the taking, like pencils?  Ask if you may have a handful.  I have never been told no, and I never buy pencils!!!  This goes for other items like sticky memo pads, mouse pads, plain memo pads, pens, erasers, stress reliever balls, caluclator (never bought one of these either).  FYI, when I was with another salesman's wife at a builder's expo, we noticed a table with little pocket calculators.  I told the man I was a homeschooler and sales rep's wife and asked if I could have 3.  The other woman was a school teacher.  She explained where and what she taught and asked if she could have enough for her whole class to hand out for rewards.  The man said yes to us both!
5. If you can manage this, attend a homeschool conference, convention, or expo without your children.  This will give you a chance to take the time needed to peruse curriculum thoroughly.  I have made the mistake of not doing this soooo many times.
6. Wait.  If you find something you like, or a few mom's recommend a particular program, find a place that you can view it hands on, then wait.  Don't purchase when your emotions are high.  You will be thinking about all the wonderful exciting things your friends have said.  Purchasing on emotion is never a good thing (OH, when will I ever master this lesson?).  When you wait and think about it and begin to plan how you will incorporate this into your school, then you can make a better educated decision as to whether or not it will work for you.
7. Where do all those text books go when the school system is finished with them?  Usually, to a central warehouse.  Call your school board and ask about discarded curriculum.  Many areas offer a few days open to the public and there are mountains of texts.  BE CAREFUL not to overload yourself, it can be very easy while staring at free stuff.  I have picked up items like basic history, math, grammar texts, etc.  But I have also come home with tons of stuff that takes up my garage and I try desperately to give away to other families.  LOL!
8. This brings me to another tip.  It is good to think ahead, but don't think too far ahead.  Children change.  Family dynamics change.  Parents change.  Pre purchasing years worht of curriculum is not always the best policy, even if it can be the cheapest.  What your child may like at age 7-10, may change when she turns 11.  What works for children 1 & 2, may not work for child 3.  For example, we have done a few programs that involve volumes.  These can be purchased a discounted rate together, or separately at a higher rate.  There is no savings if you buy the package at the lesser rate, and then only use volumes 1 & 2 of a 6 volume set.  Keep in touch with your children's interests, learning style, and lifestyle when making purchases.
9. Sharing curriculum can be a very fun and frugal way to homeschool.  If you can find a family to partner with for a particular subject, you can share curriculum and have one or 2 days/nights per month where you get together for a small co-op. 
10. Along the same lines, you can share the cost of teacher's guides if you are purchasing the same curriculum as a another family.  For example, if you and a friend both purchase the same science curriculum, you can share the cost and use of the teacher guide.  This can significantly reduce the cost.

These are my thoughts.