You REALLY Can Homeschool on a Budget

Budget. The “B” word no one wants to talk about.

I was recently asked if I had a homeschool budget and my answer is YES!

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Overcoming Negative Mindset:

Homeschooling on a budget can feel impossible. Like a mountain that is just too hard to climb, after all, there is no way you can teach your child all the things without spending an arm and a leg, right?

Wrong.

I have the pleasure of sharing my money saving tips for homeschooling on a budget during the Homeschooling 101 party!  I hope that you find these suggestions based on my experiences helpful!

Crafting Our Homeschool Budget:

At the end of each year we see where we had to fill in the gaps such as refilling the ink in the printer to books I found throughout the year, to unexpected moments of switching to curriculum and the cost incurred.

We take note of the “budget amount” and then “actual costs” of homeschooling.  A few things I never know where to put such as skates for growing feet, art supplies and the never ending need of printer paper.

Homeschooling really is part of life and tends to get all mixed together. Thankfully my husband has a great mind for this and we talk about it.

Communication is vital for budgeting in a family.

Armed with this knowledge my husband and I look at our family budget and see how much we can “swing” for next year. During middle school, I was able to homeschool for $250.00 (CND). That is two children for a year, pretty good 😉

As the children get older and interests change we continue to reexamine the budget. This year we are aiming for $500. A few programs we are looking at are over 100 USD each, by the time you convert it to CND it can add up quick.

Then be determined to stick to your budget!

Why I Like Homeschooling On A Budget:

One thing I like about homeschooling on a budget is I have boundaries. It forces me to slow down and really consider all the ins and outs of something before buying.

I get to sink into the world of reading reviews, asking friends, looking for free trials and know I am doing it for a purpose. Not just wasting time.

This knowledge really helps you to make wise decisions.

Having a budget allows me to spend what I have – guilt free!

It’s shopping without worrying that I am taking away from something else. After all when you buy those “little things” they add up and you have to pay for them which means it has to come from somewhere.

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A budget means the money is there when you need it. If I have extra left when I am done picking up all our supplies I save it. I know throughout the year something is going to catch my eye that I am going to want to try out.

With funds set aside just for homeschooling, I know it is there when I want it or need it.

Lastly, a homeschool budget is like a game of “how much money can I save?” I love saving money and I love a good deal. Seriously makes my day!!

How To Save Money When Homeschooling On A Budget:

When you have a homeschool budget you need to get the most for your money. I am sharing my top 7 simple ways to save money on homeschool curriculum over at Kingdom First Homeschool.

Please jump on over to check them out!

In the meantime if you are worried about homeschooling on a budget I hope these suggestions have helped:

1. Count the cost of what you really ended up spending throughout the year. Including the fun extras or surprises, you weren’t counting on.
2. Take time to look at your upcoming family budget to see how it has changed over the past year. Communicate with your family.
3. Set a realistic budget and remember if you are buying across the border to count the difference in cost.
4. Do your best to stick to it by researching and asking around for experiences.
5. Make it fun for yourself. A challenge, treasure hunt or whatever you need. Find a positive mindset and rock it!

You really can homeschool on a budget!

Happy Shopping, 

Jen

PS. If you shop online make sure you’re also signed up for Ebates, because you’ll get cashback. You can use it if you live in Canada as well! (Just click here fellow Canadians to get started and start saving today!)