Starting on a budget

Can your library get you items through an inter-library loan?  That’s one way to go, if you plan ahead so your books are available close enough to when you need them.  That doesn’t always work, though, if you are going to need something for longer than you can borrow it/renew it, but we’ve mostly had success with that.

Also, if you can find out where there are any really good used curriculum fairs (or library book sales), they are usually worth the drive even if you have to go farther than you would travel to shop.  You might want to find a homeschool group online forum that is local to a nearby city and ask the parents there what sales they would recommend.  You can also ask them (or ask on this forum) if you are looking for some specific items.

Finally, we purchase things through Amazon, eBay, and AbeBooks online, or at homeschoolclassifieds.com.  Some members here will post when they list books for sale on their blogs, such as the wonderful, huge list mentioned by Melissa in this thread: https://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/buying-used-books-2/

HTH,

Sue

You’ve gotten great tips already.  I just want to second the tip about not buying too much.  I’m trying to get myself in the habit of deciding what books to buy (this is for history, mainly) and then not buy any more.   I try to buy only what I KNOW I want (using previews and reviews on Amazon, borrowing from other moms or the library).   If our library has it, I don’t buy it unless its a total keeper.

There have been times when I “desperately” needed a book — and the world didn’t end when I didn’t get it.  More often, bookfinder.com found it reasonably priced and the book ended up at my house.

I have a friend who uses a different history curriculum, but we like the same living books.  She also has a much larger home-library than I.  So, if I know she has it, I don’t buy it (unless it’s something I really want).  Often, we borrow the book from her a little later than I really wanted it, but it works!  And it’s a lot cheaper!

I have found so many books at the thrift store! $.59 for a book can’t beat that! I bring a printed off list and sit on the floor and start digging. I usually have all 3 kids with me so I buckle the youngest 2 into the double stroller and the 6 year old sits with me and “helps”. She has learned what older classic books look like and is actually pretty good at finding them.

I bought the Yesterdays Classics bundle. I am planning to use those books even if a different one about somebody is recommended. If I already own a great living book about a person most of the time I don’t need another.

I’d also focus on 3Rs first.  For second grade, that’s all you really need.  After that I’d add a good story Bible and SCM’s memory system (you just need some index cards and an index box for that).  The rest can be added from library books or purchased as needed.  I order from Rainbow Resource or Amazon once every month or two so we don’t spend much at once.

I also buy many books used on Amazon or from thrift stores.  Usually your library can get books from nearby libraries for no cost to you.  We currently use more curriculum than I did when we first started because I found it usually saves me time, but I don’t think it’s needed.  There is so much available for free (or at the library) and you can realistically only go through so many things each year.