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![]() Tips For Homeschooling InexpensivelyResource MediaHomeschooling can be very expensive but it can also be very inexpensive! Homeschooling can cost almost nothing if you already have the following items:
Having a computer with a printer and Internet connection is not vital, but it does make homeschooling a lot easier! Craft supplies are a must, as is a library card. ![]() How and where to acquire materials to
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Reasons to Homeschool Inexpensively
- Sometimes curriculums and books are purchased and you realize that they are not suiting your child's/family's needs. Purchasing them inexpensively won't hurt your bank account as much.
- Sometimes you find that your child has outgrown a curriculum halfway through a school year! This sometimes leads to double curriculum purchase. Keeping costs low will help reduce the stress of purchasing more materials.
- Your budget will go further.
- Keeping curriculum and book purchases low cost, will allow you the freedom to purchase more worthwhile things such as a better craft sets, or a family membership.
- Children will need to be more creative when they are learning new things and to think, "out-of-the-box" if they do not have everything available to them.
- Your child's research skills will get better.
- Your child will spend more time with a topic, which will naturally lead to better understanding.
- Your child will become more independent.
- More flexibility.
- Your child will not be locked into one grade level. If your child needs 1st grade math and 5th grade reading materials, you can provide it.
- If your child "gets it," you'll be less stressed about completing every page.
- Your child can explore books and materials that may not be in his/her "grade/age" range.
- You do not have to follow any other plan but your own.
- You can create your own curriculum based on your child's needs.
- You can follow your child's interests by using a child-centered approach.

Disadvantages of Homeschooling Inexpensively
- More time is needed for research
- A purchased curriculum will come with most of the items needed. This won't save you money, but will save you: time buying extras, figuring out how things fit together, and how you will supplement needed items. Also, finding things a little bit at a time will be more time consuming because you'll need to search for items and wait for things to become available.
- Great bargains add up and you can over buy
- Finding great bargains can add up, and having too many resources can really overwhelm a household! Set a limit for how much you are willing to spend before going to a book sale, discount store, or garage sale, and take only that amount with you; try not to make deals!
- Before making a purchase, ask your child if they're really going to use the item and try to gage their interest level. If your child doesn't seem very interested in the item, you might want to pass, otherwise you could wind up buying something that will never be used! Having materials in your home that your child isn't going to use is a waste of money and space.

How to Reach Across the Curriculum and
Still Homeschool Inexpensively
Subject | Games/Activity/Field trips | Printed Materials |
Math | Tri-Ominoes, Pattern blocks, Look at architecture | Puzzle-Mania |
Science | Orlando Sci. Center, experiment, Gardening Game | Books with Science Experiments |
History | Visit Museum of Science | Biographies of famous people |
Geography | Visit parks, do map puzzles and look at globes | Nation Geographic Society Magazine |
Social Studies | Heritage Study, go to fairs and festivals | Time for Kids |
Reading | Phonics Game | Books, magazines |
Handwriting | Calligraphy | Handwriting books and Donna Young |
Creative Writing | Story Starters Decorate paper Ghost Writer |
How to Write |
Grammar | Mad Libs | Writing with Style Style manual |
Spelling | Spell-it, hangman | Dictionary |
Music | Go to a concert or a musical | Learn to read sheet music |
Art | Visit Art Galleries The Worldwide Art Directory |
Read Art Books Art Book Reviews |
Foreign Language | Take a class; study with a friend | Purchase books and magazines from other countries |
*Many of the items linked here are available on loan from your local library.
Tip: Set a budget for the year and stick to it. If there is anything left over, plan a trip, buy that "much wanted" item or add just enough to create a new budget for the same amount. Strive to use less each year or to get more for your money!
Copyright 2007© Fran Wisniewski for Natural Learner