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Budget
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I think you are doing great. I’ve been homeschooling for 15 years now and set aside $500.00 per year for the past 6 years. I use that for bottles of ink ( I have do my refill ink from Encore Ink, a homeschool family.) I buy one case of paper per year as well. Then, it is books or small things for art when the stuff is on sale. That $500. is currently for one 12th grade,9th grade,8th grade, 5th grade,2nd grade and one Kindy. I just went to Mostly CM this year. I bought the complete CM set from Sonya last April for approx. $300.00. I am finding most books at the library ( when I use it.. not very often as it is too far away.) I have my best shopping for books at Alibris.com. I use their coupons and try to buy books when I can order at least 6 at a time. So far it has kept shipping costs down. I’d love to look at getting a Kindle or something eventually.
I use a lot of write on wipe off for the “littles” to practise before giving them paper to put work for documentation on. Also, never underestimate the use of a cookie sheet and a half cup of flour to write in! It’s lots of fun!
Have you looked into book-swapping sites like Paperback Swap? That site has been invaluable to our family! I have a Year 1 student and a Year 2 (almost 3) student, and I spent about $250 on this school year. We do use the library a ton though. If you could somehow figure out a way to use the library, I think you might find that a little extra trouble goes a long way toward saving money. Having an e-reader is a great investment too. We have an iPad, and I got SO many free books!
My best friend also home schools using CM, so we share a lot of resources. Once I’m finished with something, I pass it onto her and vice versa. The only thing it costs us is postage because we live six hours apart. Do you know someone who might be willing to swap and share with you?
And absolutely ask grandparents for resources as birthday or Christmas or “just because” gifts. My children absolutely adore all of our resources. They don’t view them as “school only” things because learning is taking place around here all the time. In fact, I just asked my son today if he would like to receive Beta from MUS as a gift for his upcoming birthday. He grinned really big and nodded. 😉
You got lots of other great suggestions too, so I hope you’re able to make something work!
Blessings,
Lindsey
We used Paperback Swap a little. I think it will be better once we are in the states it take 6-8 weeks for the book to come!
I am trying so hard to get family to send useful gifts but after 2 years no luck.
I found a free site I can use through the military and that will really help. I think I underestimated how many free books I can use on the kindle too.
The only consumables we use are handwriting so that is really not a big deal. Math we already have. I found a great deal on all the lower math u see last year and grabbed them up. This year we wrote in the book because I didn’t think of using the overhead sheets, next year that is what we will start doing.
I am sure I can cut it a little. But the other night I mentioned that I could only find this one book for about $20 not less. I said it was a good book but I would cut it out. He said by the time all the kids use it 1 time that it makes it a better deal and even better if they use it more than 1 time. He then said not to cut the budget! I am still going to see what I can do.
That’s great! And if he sees that you are trying to give the best education possible for your children, and are willing to spend the extra effort on saving money, such as the overhead sheets and free Kindle books without sacrificing quality, he’ll be very much on board with certain splurges such as the $20 book. We have been hsing for 15 years as well, and it is true that you spend less and less every year, especially if you can find ways to make consumable items non-consumable.
We use sheet protectors/dry erase boards, too…but now that I have been reminded of their varied uses I need to get in the habit of using them more.
Oh, and my husband bought me a Kindle last night. Can’t wait to see what I can find:)
I spent $200 for three children this year, last year it was $300. We used to only have one vehicle but on hubbys days off we would get to the library. Even if it was Saturday. We reserved books on line and I planned ahead for what books we would need. We didn’t even have to go every week. I bought some books our first year and then didn’t use them so I am very selective and careful with what I buy now. I also use paper back swap but the things I want everyone else wants to. So here and there I buy stuff on Amazon or e-bay. I hunt for books at good-will and garage sales in summer and I have a printer and copier that I make copies of work sheets so I only have to buy one workbook. I tried sheet protectors but they didn’t work very well for us. (awkward)
I got a kindle for Christmas and I’ve gotten a few books that were free and I bought one for $8 but that can add up and I’m too “cheap” to keep doing that.
Honestly, I have never sat down and figured out how much we have spent on curriculum or books. Most of our money goes toward activities or community classes, but because I am so ‘cheap’ and selective, I’d have to say that we don’t spend much either. Most of the books I buy are from the Goodwill/thrift stores, etc. We use what we have, as well, so….
I think it’s time I start a ledger and really keep track. I believe it’s unfair to others when they ask if you don’t have an accurate amount (I’m talking about myself here).
Wow, I’m reading all of these posts about lack of library availability, and I realize just how blessed we are. We can get more than half (maybe closer to 75%) of what we need locally because we are only a 20-minute or less drive from two highly-rated suburban libraries and just minutes from a county-library branch that has access to a couple of large library systems. We can order online, renew online, and even pick up from a drive-up window! I’m just so spoiled! On top of all of that, one of the libraries has such a wonderful children’s department that my kids have enjoyed visits there since they were toddlers.
Of course, I still can’t get everything at these libraries, but that’s rare–like now, when I’m trying to find a suitable substitute for Joyce McPherson’s “Ocean of Truth” bio about Isaac Newton. There are other bios available; I just have to figure out what would be comparable and also a living book.
Sue
We have a great library, too. For the Outdoor Secrets and Companion guide I believe we only need to purchase a few books (I may want to purchase a few more just to have our own copy for the future, but we’ll see). I’ll be checking out the used book stores first then see what there is online. It will be a very inexpensive study for 2 children (3 when I add my oldest boy into the mix just for fun).
It never occured to me that other families don’t have the same resources until I began reading this forum. Just never thought about it before.
This has been an interesting thread.
I am going to go ahead with the history recomended books we decided on, but other than that I found so many for free. I would like a few paper books for my younger ones but I am sure I can fined some okay ones at garage sales and such this summer. (given we will hopefully be back in the US)
I want to thank you all for challenging me!
Do you know of any free stuff for the younger ones? I mean other than the Burgess and other science ones? I know poetry I can easily find too. The military website has a few, but I would like something to put on my kindle for when we move. We will be without our stuff for about 2 months and I want to pack our take along as light as possible. A few free books did have some versions with pictures so I will do a few of those for the younger ones. I think the childs garden of vereses has like 4 picture versions to choose from.
There are Beatrix Potter’s books (and others) online at Gutenberg – look here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Children%27s_Picture_Books_%28Bookshelf%29
If you look on gutenberg – they have an area called collections, or libraries or something like that…. then you can select something like “children’s storybooks” (can you tell I’m not on it right this moment?) You can find a lot in there, most with illustrations.
I have Raggedy Anne and Raggedy Andy, Little Bear at work and play (no illustrations on that one… sigh), The 3 Pigs, The Little Red Hen, some Nursery Rhymes, the Beatrix Potter books listed above, and some others.
Also, on gutenberg when you find something you like, at the bottom of its listing there is a link to see books other people also downloaded.
hth!
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