• Home
  • GET THE BOOK
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
  • Shop TBM
  • Courses

The Budget Mom

Real Women. Real Life. Real Finance

  • Home
  • Products
    • Live Rich Planner
    • Budget By Paycheck
  • Blog
  • FREE RESOURCES
  • COURSES
  • GET THE BOOK
  • Shop TBM

A life you love on a budget you can afford.

Here on TBM®, I provide you with simple, easy-to-follow solutions to help you budget your money, pay off debt, save more, and crush your financial goals. But more than that, I give you the tools to start doing the things that matter most to you, on a budget that actually works!

7 Ways to Homeschool on a Budget

July 28, 2020
Family & Money

Share
Pin142
Share
Tweet
Email
142 Shares

Homeschooling isn’t free, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Learn seven ways you can homeschool your kids on a budget.

August is quickly approaching, which means that we're entering back to school season. And right now, many parents have to make tough decisions about attending school in the fall. 

COVID-19 cases are rising in many states, forcing some parents to switch to their schools' digital learning plans. Others are leaving the school system altogether and choosing to homeschool their kids. 

It's not an easy choice for any parent to make, and everyone has to choose what's right for their family. And it becomes even more complicated when you consider how much homeschooling costs. 

  • Read More: Money Saving Tips for Back-to-School

7 Ways to Homeschool on a Budget

There are many advantages to homeschooling, but unfortunately, it isn't free. According to the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), most homeschooling parents pay between $300 to $600 per child per year. So if you have multiple kids, this can add up quickly.

Transitioning to homeschooling your kids won't be easy, but you can do it without spending an arm and a leg. Here are seven ways to homeschool your kids on a budget:

1. Do Your Research

If you want to save money on any expense, you need to do your homework and go into it with a plan. Homeschooling is no exception! Fortunately, there are tons of free homeschooling resources for parents online. 

A good place to start would be by talking to local homeschooling parents. They can let you know what curriculum they've tried and what has worked or not worked for them. You can also join a homeschooling Facebook group for additional support.

Once you have a better understanding of what will go into homeschooling your kids, make a detailed list of all the supplies you'll need. From there, you can start coming up with a budget to keep you on track.

2. Use as Many Free Resources as Possible

You may not realize it, but you can access hundreds of free resources your kids can utilize, both online and in-person. For instance, Khan Academy is a popular option for many homeschoolers.

The nonprofit provides free resources for kids in grades K-12. There are tons of interactive lessons and video clips on math, science, technology, and more.

If you're looking for ways to encourage your kids to read, you should check out Starfall. This interactive website is geared towards kids from preschool up to third grade. Scholastic is another good option, and Audible is currently offering free audiobooks for kids. 

  • Read: 10 Activity Websites for Kids

3. Watch Your Supply Budget

If you've ever gone back-to-school shopping at Target, you know how easy it is to overspend on school supplies! Most homeschoolers seem to agree that the costs add up quickly when you begin buying supplies.

By now, you've already created your budget, so you know how much you have to spend. Now you just need to do a little digging and look for the best deals on supplies. 

Resell websites, like Homeschool Classified and eBay, are a great way to find gently used items for less. And you can also buy things like paper, pens, pencils, and crayons in bulk. And remember you can always find school supplies at Dollar Tree.

4. Save on Your Curriculum

Buying the right curriculum for your child can be overwhelming! Ideally, this curriculum will last them for the next nine months, so you want to get it right. 

That's why you want to take your time when choosing a curriculum. And once you do select a curriculum, commit to sticking with it for a set period of time before deciding you don't like it. It can take time to figure out how to use a new homeschool curriculum.

If you are friends with any other homeschooling parents, ask if they are willing to lend or sell you their old curriculum for less money. And if you have kids who are at different ages, look for a good curriculum for multiple ages, as opposed to grade level-specific. 

  • Read: 10 Websites That Make Learning at Home Fun

5. Look for Free Extracurricular Activities

For kids who are switching from public school to homeschooling, it can be disappointing to lose access to field trips with their friends. But there are ways you can re-create the field trip experience for your kids. 

For instance, did you know that you can take a virtual tour of the White House, the International Space Station, and the Statue of Liberty? No, it's not the same as attending in person, but it's the next best thing, and it's free.

And depending on the state you live in; it may be possible to plan some socially distanced field trips. You may be able to attend your zoo, local museums, or other attractions for free or a reduced price. You may also want to consider checking out CityPass for some tour options in nearby cities. Though not free, you are able to bundle tours and you usually have a year to use the tickets.

6. See if Your State Offers a Tax Credit

At this time, the federal government doesn't offer tax credits to homeschooling families. But the following states do offer homeschooling credits:

  • Illinois: Education Expense Credit
  • Louisiana: School Expense Deduction
  • Minnesota: K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit 

If your state doesn't currently offer a tax credit, keep looking into this. If more families choose to move to a homeschooling model, this could change very quickly. 

7. Partner With Other Parents

And finally, you can cut down on homeschooling costs by partnering with another homeschooling parent or joining a homeschool co-op. Many parents do this because they want to homeschool their kids and give their children a chance to socialize with other kids.

And joining a homeschooling co-op can be a great way to cut down on expenses, save money, and gain a support system during this challenging time.  

Bottom Line

Homeschooling will likely cost more than sending your kids to public school, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune. With a little planning, you can find ways to cut down on costs and find a homeschooling budget you're happy with. 

Share
Pin142
Share
Tweet
Email
142 Shares

Filed Under: Tagged With: BUDGET TIPS, HOMESCHOOL, HOMESCHOOL ON A BUDGET

Previous article:
« What is a Zero-Based Budget?
Next article:
4 Money Saving Challenges for Small Budgets »

Hello, I'm Kumiko, but everyone just calls me Miko. Welcome to my blog, The Budget Mom. I am an Accredited Financial Counselor® , and mom to a rambunctious boy. Come along with me as I strive to live a life I love on a budget that I can afford. Read more about me.

RECENT YOUTUBE VIDEO

Today, I am showing you how I use visual financial trackers in my life. I have a lot of these trackers available in my Free Resource Library (https://bit.ly/2PDmTHz), in my TBM Shop (https://bit.ly/42S0DAi), or you can find them over at DebtFreeCharts.com.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:37 Why you should use financial trackers
04:37 Savings Goals
08:32 Graphic Tracker for Debt
13:16 Lined Tracker for Debt
20:43 Tips & Recommendations

➡️ HOW I TRACK MY SPENDING: https://bit.ly/3aIe89I
➡️ HOW TO USE A BUDGET CALENDAR: https://bit.ly/2IzF2Vj
➡️ FINDING YOUR WHY: https://bit.ly/3aJUryj
➡️ THE BUDGET MOM'S FINANCIAL FREEDOM STEPS: https://bit.ly/3cfJXsp
➡️ HOW TO GET STARTED WITH THE CASH ENVELOPE METHOD: https://bit.ly/2vQJaO5
➡️ HOW TO CREATE A PLAN OF ATTACK TO PAY OFF DEBT: https://bit.ly/2wDETxF
➡️ HOW TO CLOSE OUT YOUR BUDGET: https://bit.ly/2Uz0UUW

ABOUT ME

Kumiko Love is a single mom who empowers women everywhere to regain control of their financial lives. An Accredited Financial Counselor with over nine years of experience in the finance industry, she founded The Budget Mom, a community of millions of women on a path to financial fulfillment.

She's also the creator of the wildly popular Live Rich Planner® and Budget by Paycheck® Workbook. Love has been featured on Good Morning America, the Today show, CNN, CBS, ABC and in USA Today, US News, World Report, Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Parents Magazine, the Washington Post, and Real Simple. She lives in Spokane Valley, Washington.

YOU CAN FIND ME AT:

📝 WEBSITE: https://www.thebudgetmom.com
📘 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thebudgetmom/
📸 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thebudgetmom/
📌 PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thebudgetmom/

GET STARTED

➡️Start Here: https://www.thebudgetmom.com/start-here/
➡️Courses: https://courses.thebudgetmom.com/
➡️Free Resources: https://bit.ly/2PDmTHz
➡️GET 10% OFF my popular Budget-by-Paycheck Workbook - Coupon Code TBMYOUTUBE https://bit.ly/3FEdZFp

Soundstripe Music License Code: WIKRJYHFAEB3H6B3
Load More... Subscribe
Free Resource Library

Recent Posts

  • Building a College Fund for Kids: Invest in Their Future Today
  • HELOC to Pay Off Debt: Is it a Lifeline or a Trap?
  • Budget Tune-Up: Know When to Adjust Your Limits
  • Freeze Your Credit: How It Works and When It’s a Smart Move
  • Bounce Back from Fraud: How to Protect Your Family’s Finances and Move Forward

Blog Categories

Amazon Associates Disclosure

The Budget Mom, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

  • Cart
  • Shop Policies

Start With My Friday Newsletter

Every Friday I send you a short helpful email with my popular Friday freebie. Join my 500k+ subscribers!

About

  • Home
  • ABOUT TBM
  • Contact
  • Start Here

Important

  • DISCLAIMER
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Subscribe

Favorites

  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Live Rich Planner
  • Budget by Paycheck

Start With My Friday Newsletter

Copyright ©2023, The Budget Mom®
This website contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, I may receive a commission. This website is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program where I earn advertising fees by linking to amazon.com.
  • How financially fulfilled are you? Take this 2 minute quiz to get your score!
    Click Here to Start