If you're like me, you want the best for your children, but you also want to stick to a budget. Given the current economy, most of us are looking to stretch our dollar. That can be a difficult task when it comes to homeschooling. There are so many resources available, and it can take time to know where to start. This blog post will discuss some of the best places to find homeschool resources on a budget. We'll also provide tips on how to get the most out of those resources!
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Use Your Library for Resources on a Budget
Your local library is one of the best places to find homeschool resources on a budget. Libraries typically have a great selection of books, including many specifically geared toward homeschooling. You can also find DVDs, CDs, and other resources that can be used for homeschooling. The What Your “insert grade” Should Know books are great resources for early grades and should be available at most libraries. Best of all, you can usually borrow these items for free!
Libraries are excellent resources if you choose to use unit studies in your homeschool. You can find so many grade-appropriate books on topics to borrow. You should also look into if your library participates in the Libby app. With the app, you can borrow for free numerous ebooks and audiobooks.
Online and Digital Resources on a Budget
Another great place to find resources on a budget is online. Many websites offer homeschool resources, including printables, worksheets, and entire curriculum packages, some are even free!
OUR FAVORITE WEBSITES FOR HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES
TPT (also known as Teachers Pay Teachers)
TPT offers so many wonderful resources for FREE. Paid resources are available, and most are very reasonably priced. While designed for teachers in the classroom, lately, there has been an increase in homeschool materials being offered. You can even customize the search for homeschool materials. Classroom geared resources can even be adapted to fit into a homeschool setting.
Thriftbooks
I have purchased so many books from Thriftbooks. Their prices are amazing, and so is the selection of books. Best of all, you can sign up for their Thriftbooks 4 Teachers program as a homeschool teacher and save even more. Use this link, and when you spend $30, you will get a free book credit.
Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool
From their website, “EP seeks to free families from the burden of pursuing the “perfect” and encourages them to let it be “enough.” We use Easy Peasy for their extracurricular subjects, art, music, and p.e. The rest of the curriculum is sound, and numerous people use it every year.
Good and the Beautiful
The Good and the Beautiful is a Christian-based company that offers homeschool resources. On their website, you can download free K-8 language arts and K-6 math complete units.
Some of these you may need to purchase a laptop or Chromebook to access, but I know for us our Chromebook has paid for itself.
Benefits of Digital Homeschool Resources
Buying digital resources may be a newer concept, but the benefits are many.
- Save money on paper and ink.
- Reusable. Great if you have more kids to educate.
- Price. Most cost less than traditional print resources.
Local or Online Thrift Stores
Local thrift shops are a great place to find homeschool resources, but it can be hit or miss. I've lucked into a full set of Teaching Textbooks at our local flea market. You can also check your local Facebook marketplace. Online thrift stores such as eBay or Mercari are another great place to find gently used curricula.
Think Outside the Box
Think outside the box for resources. Homeschooling does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially in the younger years, there are likely so many things you already have in your home that you can use to educate your children. Beans can be used as counters to make math problems. Pencil and paper can be used to make math problems or sentences to fix and label. A walk outside to discover nature can be used to learn more about science and the world around us. The beautiful thing about homeschooling is that it can happen at any time and learning can be incorporated into the day-to-day activities of life.
Homeschool Curriculum And Resources On A Budget
So there you have it! These are just a few of the best places to find homeschool resources on a budget. With a little effort, you can easily find everything you need to homeschool your children without breaking the bank. Do you have any favorite resources for homeschooling on a budget? Please share them with us in the comments below!
If this is your first time homeschooling, or if you're looking for some extra resources, check out our Start Homeschooling: Planning Guide. The guide contains tips and helpful hints for starting your homeschool journey.
