Hi Mandy,
Many families decide to purchase term by term in order to save on up front costs. Each guide (history, enrichment, Individual Studies) sample download lists the resources needed for term 1.
There are several options to help you with cost. Make sure you take advantage of our free downloads for the Book of Centuries and the Scripture Memory Verses. If you do not need prompts in your nature journal you can absolutely get by with a blank spiral journal that contains a heavier paper. I like watercolor grade paper or mixed media. Another great option is to purchase resources that will be used again over the next 12 years by more children in digital format (copywork, Visits to…series, Using Language Well in grade 3, etc)
Make sure you take advantage of your library. Our Bookfinder is a great resource to help you source books. If you can’t find an exact book, you can certainly utilize a book that is similar in length and content (make sure to give it the “living book” check).
We work hard to create high quality resources for families and go through thousands of books in order to chose those that meet our high standards.
Prior to working for SCM there were times that I simply couldn’t afford certain resources that I would have really liked to have had. In those moments I prayed and did the best I could. It meant more work on my end but we were blessed. One time that meant a coffee table book of a particular artist that I found somewhere for a couple dollars. We missed out on the great biography that SCM Picture Portfolios include and were not able to display the artist we were studying in our dining room but God provided during that season (and always) and my children and I were still introduced to a wonderful artist.