Homeschooling on a Budget: 5 Money-Saving Tips
To help you make homeschooling more affordable without compromising your child’s education, we’ve gathered five practical money-saving tips from co-founders and operations managers. From utilizing free online educational resources to forming a homeschooling resource-sharing network, these leaders share their tried-and-tested strategies.
- Utilize Free Online Educational Resources
- Participate in Homeschooling Community Exchanges
- Borrow Books and Use DIY Learning Tools
- Create Customized Learning Materials
- Form a Homeschooling Resource-Sharing Network
Utilize Free Online Educational Resources
An excellent way to save money while homeschooling is to rely on online resources for information. While traditional textbooks include curriculum-based details, limiting your training to just that is unnecessary. Unlike with conventional schooling, you can prepare your list of reading material and training modules for your children. For that, you can substitute textbooks with free online blogs that cover the same topics as those available in the traditional school syllabus.
Besides that, many scholars, bibliophiles, and regular people post YouTube videos on topics generally covered in school. For example, many history buffs prepare and post video essays on topics like “US involvement in World War II,” “Great Depression,” etc. You can assign such videos to your child for them to learn about topics more effectively instead of relying solely on written text. Like YouTube, you can download movies covering educational issues for free from online sites for valuable interactive learning.
Lyle Solomon
Principal Attorney, Oak View Law Group
Participate in Homeschooling Community Exchanges
Connect with other homeschooling families or join online communities to participate in book swaps or used-curriculum sales.
By exchanging or purchasing used materials, parents can access high-quality curriculum resources at a fraction of the original cost. This helps make homeschooling more affordable without compromising the child’s education. For example, a parent can join a local homeschooling cooperative where members organize book swaps, allowing families to share and trade textbooks, workbooks, and other curriculum materials.
Additionally, online platforms dedicated to used-curriculum sales offer a wide range of subjects and resources at discounted prices, enabling parents to find suitable materials while staying within their budget.
Roy Lau
Co-Founder, 28 Mortgage
Borrow Books and Use DIY Learning Tools
Borrowing second-hand books is a practical, money-saving tip to make homeschooling more affordable. You don’t need to buy books; just contact people who have kids older than yours and ask to borrow some books. You can pay them a reasonable price and return the books. You can also buy second-hand books.
Incorporate DIY and hands-on learning experiences using affordable materials. You can also use materials available at home. This way, you can make learning more fun and creative. Visit museums and educational centers as they often have free entries for students.
Furthermore, utilize free online resources. There are many free educational websites and apps that offer quality learning materials, lesson plans, and activities. These study sources are interactive, so your children can learn effectively.
Saikat Ghosh
Associate Director of HR and Business, Technource
Create Customized Learning Materials
By creating your own learning materials, you can tailor them to your child’s needs while saving money on expensive pre-made resources. Get creative and make flashcards, art supplies, science experiments, and other learning tools using affordable or recycled materials. DIY projects promote creativity and hands-on learning, enhancing the homeschooling experience.
Jason Cheung
Operations Manager, Credit KO
Form a Homeschooling Resource-Sharing Network
Form a network with other homeschooling families to share resources and take turns teaching certain subjects. This collaborative approach reduces costs and ensures a well-rounded education for each child. Families can rotate teaching responsibilities based on their expertise and interests.
For example, one family may excel in math while another is skilled in science. By pooling resources and knowledge, families can save on curriculum materials and benefit from diverse teaching styles. This approach requires coordination and planning, but it offers a unique and cost-effective way to make homeschooling more affordable without compromising education.
Yoana Wong
Co-Founder, Secret Florists
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