The Ultimate Homeschool Budgeting Guide
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive! With smart planning and the right resources, you can provide a quality education without breaking the bank. This guide will walk you through how to create a homeschool budget, find affordable curriculum options, and save money on essential supplies.
1. Determine Your Homeschool Budget
Assess Your Financial Situation
Before setting a budget, review your family’s overall financial picture. Determine how much you can allocate toward homeschooling without straining your household finances. Consider making adjustments in other areas to free up extra funds for education.
Break Down Your Expenses
To avoid unexpected costs, list as many expenses as you can think of, including:
Create A Budget Plan
Action Step
Write down your projected homeschool expenses and identify areas where you can cut costs.
2. Choose Budget-Friendly Curriculum
There is curriculum for every budget. From free to pricey, you can find something that fits your needs. If you’re looking for ways to cut costs or save as much as possible, try to find free or lower-cost curriculum that still meets the needs of your child.
Examples of free resources are Kahn Academy, which offers free online courses in different subjects, Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool, which is a complete, free Christian homeschool curriculum, and various library resources.
Some low-cost choices could include The Good and the Beautiful, which offers free PDFs and affordable printed curriculum, and Masterbooks, which has budget-friendly Christian homeschool resources. Another good option for saving money is to buy second-hand from used curriculum websites like Thriftbooks.com or search in homeschool Facebook groups.
MORE BUDGETING HELP: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO HOMESCHOOLING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Cost-Saving Curriculum Ideas
Here are a few more creative ways to save on curriculum and homeschool supplies.
Use a mix of free and paid resources. Even if only some of your curriculum is free, you can still see significant savings over buying everything full priced.
Swap or share curriculum with other homeschool families. Many homeschooling families have more than one child and will have a need for different levels of curriculum. Borrow or trade another family for what you need.
Look for bundled deals and discounted subscriptions on educational websites. Most companies offer savings if you purchase a full curriculum set versus buying individual products separately.
Use notebook paper for work instead of writing in workbooks. It’s true that workbooks are meant to be written in. But having your child use notebook paper to solve problems and write answers instead of writing directly in their workbook will allow you to pass them down to several children without having to purchase new ones.
Action Step
Research and list three free curriculum resources that align with your child’s learning style.
3. Save on Homeschool Supplies
No matter what curriculum you choose, your kids will need supplies to complete their work. But you don’t have to break the bank to get them. Below are affordable options for getting the supplies you need.
Creative Ways to Save on Supplies
Action Step
Take inventory of your existing school supplies and make a list of only what you truly need.
4. Plan Cost-Effective Extracurricular Activities
Curriculum is only one part of a well-rounded homeschool. You’ll want to plan enrichment activities, electives, and fun outings, too. Here are some ideas to keep extracurricular activity spending under control.
Community programs are a great place to join extracurricular activities. A lot of parks and recreation departments have local programs that are free to kids or very inexpensive.
Libraries are a pillar of the community for a reason. Many offer free storytime, STEM activities, book clubs, and other classes that are open to the public.
Joining or starting a homeschool co-op is one of the best ways to save not only on curriculum, but activities. You and other homeschooling families can share resources and split costs.
Look for free virtual classes. Many colleges offer free virtual classes in subjects like coding, sign language and other STEM classes.
Maximize Savings on Activities
Here are some ways to squeeze even more savings out of your homeschool activities.
Action Step
Find at least one free or low-cost extracurricular activity your child can participate in this month.
5. Utilize Free and Affordable Homeschooling Technology
Technology is a part of all of our lives and will continue to be. It’s essential that homeschooled students are familiar with technology and how to navigate it effectively. Although technology can be expensive, there are plenty of low-cost and even free options available.
Free Educational Websites
To save on computers and tablets, use refurbished devices sold at a discount. Purchase only one or two that everyone shares until you’re able to buy more. You can also utilize the library and use their public computers.
Action Step
Check if your library offers free access to digital learning tools and educational software.
6. Track and Adjust Your Spending
Nothing beats a well-planned budget, but you have to stay on top of it to know when to adjust and reprioritize. This is where having a budget tracker is especially handy. Keep track of your spending, review purchases, and anticipate future spending all in one place.
The kind of budget tracker you use is up to you. You can use spreadsheets or an app like You Need A Budget (YNAB) to track your expenses digitally or use a paper budget tracker to do it the old-fashioned way.
Be sure to keep your receipts since some states offer tax breaks for homeschool expenses.
Action Step
Set a time at the end of each month to review your homeschool expenses and identify savings opportunities.
By following these steps, you can homeschool effectively while staying within your budget. Remember, a great education isn’t about how much you spend, it’s about creating a meaningful and engaging learning experience for your child. Happy homeschooling!
