Save Money on Homeschooling Supplies
Homeschooling can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also important to find ways to save money on homeschooling supplies. From curriculum materials to art supplies, costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to cut expenses without sacrificing the quality of your child’s education.
In this post, we’ll explore the best places to find discounts and share practical homeschool tips for saving money along the way. Whether you’re looking for curriculum, books, or everyday supplies, these resources will help you stay within budget.
With a little planning and resourcefulness, you can keep costs low while still providing a rich learning experience for your children.
How to Save Money on Homeschool Supplies
Saving money on homeschool supplies is easier than you might think with a few smart strategies. Start by shopping during back-to-school sales, which often offer deep discounts on essential items like notebooks, pencils, and craft supplies.
You can also check online marketplaces or secondhand stores for used curriculum and educational resources. Many homeschooling families find success by swapping materials or sharing resources with others in their community. These simple steps can make a big difference in keeping your homeschooling budget manageable.
Buy used resources at garage sales
You will be surprised at how much mark-down prices these books fetch once the school’s year ends. Parents purchase homeschooling curriculums every year and once their kids have graduated to the next grade, they find themselves with a lot of resources they probably will never use again. Most of these resources are usually in great condition at the end of the year. You can grab them at a bargain in a garage sale.
Buy resources online
You can turn to online space to scout for great deals when purchasing homeschooling resources. Online shopping gives you extra options since you can still buy a product from someone out of state and have it shipped to you without a fuss. Amazon and eBay are great websites to look for such deals. The sites offer a guarantee on your purchase in case something goes wrong.
You can also find other online discount stores that sell homeschooling resources and curriculums. Homeschool Buyers Club is one such store. They have every kind of resource you can think of, and most of these resources are available for instant download upon purchase.
Use a free homeschooling curriculum
You do not necessarily have to purchase a curriculum to begin homeschooling. Some homeschooling curriculums cost thousands of dollars – and only last for one academic year. To save money, explore online platforms that offer free curriculums for homeschoolers on a budget. Khan Academy is a great example of such a platform.
You need to create account online, follow instructions and once the account is approved, you can start homeschooling without spending money. Khan Academy uses interactive videos and programs that make learning easy for k-12 students.
Consider subscription sites
Numerous online educational sites offer extensive and engaging learning material for all ages for a small fee. For instance, the Enchanted learning company has over 30,000 pages of learning material for all grades from elementary to high school. At only $20 per year, you have unlimited access to content for whichever level the child is in. Other great subscription-based learning sites include Reading Eggs, ABCya, and Time4Learning.
Join a homeschool co-op
A homeschooling co-op has a lot of advantages for homeschoolers. It is largely believed that homeschooling does not offer much in terms of social exposure to the kids. A homeschooling co-op solves this problem effectively while still helping you save some money. As kids socialize, they share the resources they have among themselves. You can also share ideas and tips with other parents in the coop on how to homeschool better without spending too much money.
Borrow instead of buying
Whenever possible – and if the item is costly- borrow instead of purchasing. Some homeschooling items may be needed for just a limited period. Instead of spending too much money purchasing resources and then wondering what to do with them when the period lapses, you can hire them at a low cost and return once you are done. Friends, family, and community members may come in handy when you want to borrow resources.
Re-use what you have
You can also save some cash if you re-use the resources you already have at home. Craft items, toys, crayons, pencils, books, markers, containers, and other resources can be recycled easily and save you some money. Non-consumable books can also be re-used instead of buying new ones every academic year.
Seek assistance from online platforms
The homeschooling community is very supportive. You can join Facebook groups or other online platforms to learn about the tips and hacks other parents use to save money while homeschooling. You will discover where to go shopping for the best discounts and where to get great deals on homeschooling resources.
You can also find homeschooling blogs like ours that contain invaluable information about homeschooling. The owners of these blogs have been practicing homeschooling for a long time and they have tips to help newbies overcome any challenges they face while homeschooling.
Save on Supplies
The best time to buy homeschooling supplies is when the kids are already back in school. If you buy before they start the academic year, you are likely to spend more money. Store discount products once the kids are back in school because the demand is not too high then. This would be the best time to snatch a deal. Some stores give educator/teacher discounts (although they may need to ask for proof that you homeschool).
Purchase a curriculum for multiple kids
Instead of buying a different curriculum for every child, shop around to find non-consumable curriculums that can fit all your kids’ learning interests. Ensure that the material you purchase gives you the right to make copies and use with multiple children.
Use the library to save money
The library contains one of the largest collections of resources you can ever find anywhere. If you live close to a library, you can schedule classes and visits to the library. This is a free (or low fee) resource that contains educational books and other resources that save you time and money.
Save money on extracurricular activities
The flexibility of homeschooling allows you to schedule extracurricular activities that do not dig too deep into your pocket. You can start by visiting community projects (such as police stations or fire stations) within your locality for road trips. These trips will cost almost nothing but they will be very educational and inspiring to your kids. You can also visit a national park or take a tour of the outdoors to learn about animals and nature.
Saving money on homeschooling supplies doesn’t mean compromising your child’s education. With a little creativity and planning, there are plenty of ways to cut costs without losing quality.
Whether you’re buying used materials, leveraging free online curriculums, or joining homeschool co-ops, these strategies can help you manage your homeschooling budget effectively. Remember, reusing items, borrowing resources, and timing your purchases can further stretch your dollars.
By being resourceful, you can provide a rich learning experience for your children while keeping expenses in check.
