There are many expensive curricula out there and you can spend a bundle, especially if you go out and buy a ton of things that you don't need.There are many FREE offers and items out there.

Lorraine Curry started EasyHomeschooling her own children in 1989, and began writing about the method in 1994. EasyHomeschooling is different because both time and money requirements are low.

It is a self-contained method and once you know the basic techniques (all in the book), you really don't have to buy anything else, unless you choose. She says, "Homeschooling can be expensive but needn't be. To save money here are a few basic tips..."
see her tips on saving money

Marsha Ransom is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling and is the mother of four children, two of whom have always been homeschooled. Over the years she has learned to be frugal and says, "My main recommendation to beginning homeschoolers whether they are on a tight budget or not, is to take full advantage of the services of the local library."
see more of her tips on saving money

Judith Waite Allee is the co-author of Homeschooling on a Shoestring, and began homeschooling to give her foster son relief from special education in public school. She suggests, "Find creative ways to cut expenses so that you can live on one income, or 1 1/2 incomes. Your second income may be a lot less than you think after you subtract work-related expenses."
see more of her tips on saving money

Is homeschooling tax deductible?
by Ann Zeise
Sadly no, but this is a wonderful article that outlines IRS regulations with some wonderful links. Learn about the "Education Savings Act for Public and Private Schools" which is one way some money may be sheltered for homeschool-related expenses, if you plan in advance while your children are small. She also has some wonderful tips on how to homeschool on a shoestring.

Get noticed!
How to Apply for a Scholarship
by Jennifer Lieberman
Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to applying for scholarships. Read this informative article on how you can avoid making some fatal errors in getting your scholarship.

Comments

"Homeschooling...can be almost free"
From: Debbie in Florida
Homeschooling does not have to be expensive. In fact, it can be almost free if you utilize the library extensively and do the unschooling method. I, however like to do lessons to cover all the subjects. In the last 3 years I have probably spent no more than $400.00 for two children. That averages out to about $65.00 per child per year. I used alot of workbooks my first 2 years which was cheap and then switched all of my curriculum for this year.

• I bought some things new but I also saw that I could use them for two years like Writing Strands, Lessons in History, and Considering God's Creation. There is enough material in these types of curriculum to last 2 school years and multiple grade levels.
• The rest of the stuff I bought used and saved a ton of money. Like Saxon Math for $10, or LLATL for $7 etc... Check out the public school book depository and pick up some of their texts. You can find used curriculum on-line or get in touch with your local support group to find out if they have a used curriculum sale.
• The internet is also a wonderful source of information from lesson plans to worksheets in all the subjects and one could basically download and print all of your curriculum from there.
• Don't limit yourself to purchasing from one publisher also. Make sure you know your childs learning style so that if you do spend money on curriculum, you know he/she will like it. Have your child shop with you too if possible. Good luck.

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Meet the Author
Rebecca Rupp, Ph.D.
Home Learning Year by Year
How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School
hosted By Joe Spataro
interview & FREE excerpt: "The Truth About Curricula"
In this interview, Rebecca Rupp shares her insights on setting up your curricula. She says, "My new book is different from my previous homeschool books in that it is organized on a grade by grade (year by year) basis and can be used to create complete annual programs of study for kids of all ages." In the excerpt, "The Truth About Curricula," she points out that "One of the primary advantages of homeschooling is the ability to bypass the decreed norm. Homeschoolers can design their own curricula, assembling resources ad using approaches that best suit their own children’s needs." Read much more about this along with specific recommendations and ideas. Best of all, Rebecca Rupp is a regular participating member of our online discussion group homeschoolzone. She has a reputation for being a fountain of great tips and specific resources. In fact, she has graciously offered to answer specific questions on our discussion group.

Meet the author - Grace Llewellyn
"The Teenage Liberation Handbook
"Internships & Apprenticeships"
Whenever a discussion ensues about homeschooling, and especially unschooling, in our many discussion groups, Grace's name always comes up along with her landmark book. Grace Llewellyn is a former middle school English teacher, the director of Not Back to School Camp, the founder of the Genius Tribe resource center and mail order catalog, and the editor of two other books on unschooling. She has graciously permitted us to reprint part of Chapter 33 which deals with Internships and Apprenticeships and also agreed to "hang around" and answer our questions. This is a rare treat and I hope you enjoy it.

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