Every August, you see back-to-school sales.  Everywhere from Wal-Mart to the car dealerships.  (Hey, I'm not sure why you need a "back-to-school" car, but I'm sure the saleman there will be glad to enlighten me!   )

Wal-Mart and Meijer's have lists from the local schools.  Pencils. Pens.  Compass.  Crayons.  Scissors.  Glue.  Calculator.  College ruled paper and notebooks.   Binders.  Organizers.  School boxes.  Backpacks.

And the list goes on!

Not only that, but there are back-to-school sales on clothing and shoes.  Don't new clothes and August go together?

We can't forget snacks!  Especially for the college students! 

But what about the poor, deprived homeschoolers?

I confess I used to stock up on "school supplies" every August.  After all, there was an abundance, and sometimes you couldn't find certain things later in the year!  And there are always good sales--Meijer especially is good about having something really super duper cheap each week.    

But not anymore.  I usually am still letting the budget recover from 4-H fair time by August!  Then there's fruit to buy for canning and canning supplies.   Plus, we seem to have amassed most of the gadgets we need and lots more we don't need!   I buy more paper and clear-view binders and page protectors than anything, and the stores always have those now.

So what do homeschoolers do?

They ask for it all for Christmas!!!  

At least that's what my younger children are doing!!!

I mean, think about it---pencils, pens, crayons, calculators......aren't they the perfect stocking stuffers?!

And just wrap up some snacks, some new clothes (my littles are asking for homemade blouses, jumpers, slips...!), and voilà!

Christmas on a Back-to-School budget!