Homeschooling can be affordable! We asked our community for their awesome tips and tricks on how they make homeschooling affordable.
"We use the library for printing. We use thumb drives to store and catagorize then plan. If you have to leave your house to print you find that you might not print so much or so often. Its very planned and selective as well. Nothing wasted.
Also, we buy our read alouds from used bookstores online or local or we use libraries, movies we already own or the internet. Hands on field trips to historical sights and colleges offer free classical music concerts and sometimes free plays.
Really Really the key to cheap and or free education is to plan plan plan and follow through in order to get the best results. Co-ops, although have a fee sometimes, are a great way to fill in the gaps. Just really research and plan and use resources....ALL of them.
We create our own curriculum as well.
MEP math is free along with so many other subject options.
Timelines are free if you make one yourself and track historical events as you learn them.
Science can be in the kitchen with simple experiments and nature study is just outside your window in a notebook.
Language Arts can be copywork and the nine parts of speech this year. There is free art ideas and curriculums online too.
Remember, every moment is a teachable moment and the best things are really free." Kym Brothers
"No one on planet earth cares more about your child's education than YOU! When I realized that, it helped me accept my decision & gave me determination to ensure my guys will get a great education.
Resources to consider
- TeacherspayTeachers.com
- Outschool.com
- KhanAcademy.com
- https://mathusee.com
Remember: The world is your classroom - teaching opportunities are at grocery stores, banks, gas stations, doctor/dental offices, etc. You will have days that are perfect & wonderful & productive. You will also have days that are overwhelming & feel defeating - And It's OK. Just pick yourself back up & remind yourself why you made the decision to start the journey." Maryellen Sunshine
"Reuse books and workbooks. By using page protectors. Or make a laminated clear sheet and use it.
Print free printable pages (some libraries let you have so many for free).
Get an ecotank printer will save big time in ink costs!
Workbooks under $10 paired with free youtube video’s teachers/tutors work great!
Goodwill has very cheap books and clothes. Ollie’s has workbooks. Dollar tree too.
Free curriculums are as good as expensive ones." Frieda DeBerry
"I go to the local library and they usually have free tickets for things or just free supplies. This year I've gotten free children's tickets to 12 museums, concerts, and other venues (zoo, private gardens, etc). I got free tickets to our local swimming pool. We've gotten free children's scissors, crafts, etc." Derek N Hanna Gleue
"Free websites for printing worksheets. I also save money on ink and printer paper by drawing what I can instead of printing it out. Walmart has sketch pads for like $1 and I will draw diagrams on them and my own worksheets instead of printing if I can." Hope Ashley
"If you live in small town...here is what I did.
Make Friends with local businesses-many have resources in their trade you can access, tourist center have access to events, coupons, etc.
Museums have a library that they are willing to give you access too.
Local bookshops love finding and giving discounts on books, several do a trade swap...buy book bring in another get another or get a deep discount. Local print shops love doing your printing and can get this done on." Kimberly Anthony
"Just buy language and math books, and will fill in the other subjects as we go along. Find free videos and low price experiences/experiments.
Keep as much books for the following kids, and borrow from the library as much as possible.
Can even print out at the library to save ink and papers.
Many museums have free days, and local libraries have passes to museums and zoos and similar things.
Joined free local Facebook groups that do field trips, PE, and other activities- some are free some are pay or group discounts. If you don't have or can find local groups start one. Then see who would be interested in going to ... and see if you can get a discount. Look at your city, neighborhood cities, county and state wide." Jennifer Hoffman
"I put workbook pages into sheet protectors to be done in wet erase markers (dry erase smudges, so wet erase is better) that way we can pass it on to the next sibling in line." Aly Prays
"We use the library, watch documentaries, use educational websites that are free, educational YouTube channels, buy textbooks at libraries or used book stores, use items around the house to do crafts and sciences projects, do any of the free museum days." Brandy Barnett Âû
"Do free activities arranged by your community - usually these in our area are offered during school holidays so we always jump on these! Always look at your councils page to see what free events are being offered in your community." Kara Bailey
"Read Theory, Khan Academy, YouTube, Google classroom, second sale or other used book online store, thrift store for clothes. My library offers free tutoring after 4 pm online. That is a life saver for math. Also Chat GPT, and Google bard." Graciela Justiniano
"Project Gutenberg has lots of books online for free like Charlotte's Web." S Anya Wilson
"No uniform, no school fees, no extras like yearly school photos or fundraising. No needing to have specific devices for school." Tracey Petersen
"We use free versions of book online like Google books, National Archive Online Library. For languages, our library had free access to Mango languages, Librivox and YouTube for free audiobooks. We have an audible subscription on and off have bought books I know will be used.
YouTube, Khan Academy are free great for maths, Easy Peasy Free Curriculum we use it for art and preschool. The good and the beautiful have some free resources and cheap ebooks that can be used multiple times." Eilish Lynch
What are your tips for making homeschooling more affordable? Click here to read the thread on our Facebook group.
