It’s that time of year when we all start thinking about curriculum for next school year. Many homeschool families need to consider how to find homeschool curriculum on a budget. Fortunately, there are many options that will provide what you need without breaking the bank.
Looking for Homeschool Curriculum Is Fun
I confess that browsing curriculum for next year is something I really enjoy…like, a lot.
Probably too much.
What I really, really love is getting an old-school paper catalog that I can sit down with and circle what looks interesting to me. I can probably trace this delight back to my childhood.
I’d take the extra big Sears catalog came in the mail before Christmas and circle ALL the toys I wanted. So I guess, I’m kinda like a kid at Christmas when it comes to curriculum!
After I circle all the things, then I like to go back over what I circled and find some reviews about it. Maybe see what Cathy Duffy has to say, or another blogger who’s created a review for that particular curriculum.
I have issues, I know.
However, despite the hours of fun researching and reviewing all the fancy homeschool curriculum, the reality is, my choices are seriously influenced by my budget.
You, too?
Ultimately, when it comes to my curriculum shopping, I want to/need to be conscious of my spending.
This looks different for everyone, and only you know your budgetary concerns. I’m not judging any homeschool mom who doesn’t have a budget, or who has purchased expensive curriculum.
I also don’t think the mom who manages to homeschool completely free is any better than anyone else.
We all have difficult choices and decisions to make when it comes to what curriculum will work best for our children at any given point in their education.
I have used a great deal of free curriculum, while at the same time splurging for curricula in a specific subject area because I knew it was what my child needed for success. Again, we all have to make decisions that work for us.
So, what’s a budget-minded homeschool mama to do?
How can we supply our homeschool with the tools we need, while operating within the confines of what our family can afford?
Consider these five ideas for homeschool curriculum on a budget as you start your planning your this year.
5 Ways to Keep Your Homeschool Curriculum Affordable
1-Investigate Free Homeschool Curriculum
There are three ways I’ve utilized curriculum that’s free.
1-The first way is using a free, online curriculum.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, Khan Academy, and Ambleside Online are three I have used at one time or another in various ways.
- Check out my post How to Homeschool With Ambleside Online
- Check out my post How to Homeschool Preschool With Khan Academy Kids-For Free!
- Check out my posts Homeschool Curriculum Choices 2023-2024 and Homeschool Curriculum Choice 2024-2025 to see what free resources I’ve been using.
Other free curriculum resources can be found at Freedom Homeschooling. I frequently reference that site when I search by subject for free options.
Also, Homeschool Share has all kinds of literature-based unit studies that could easily be pieced together to cover a particular subject…for free!
2-The second way I’ve used free curriculum is by borrowing or swapping with a friend.
For several years I was able to borrow many of the books needed for Ambleside Online. What a blessing that was, especially when our library system didn’t own a particular title.
3-The third option is to use your local library.
I know this is a no-brainer for many homeschool moms (we love the library, yes?). Purchasing all the literature a particular program might require can be pricey.
Now, I will say it can be somewhat of an inconvenience if there are only so many copies of a book, and it has to be returned when you’re not finished with it yet, or there’s a really long reserve list.
That small annoyance aside, last year I was able to use the Everything You Need to Ace Science in One Big Fat Notebook as my son’s science curriculum. I borrowed it from the library, and it was totally free. Sure, we had to return it once or twice and then reorder it, but…it was free. Yay!
2-Buy Used Homeschool Curriculum
Buying used curriculum is something I didn’t even know much about until a friend suggested it. Try checking into homeschoolclassifieds.com or even Ebay. There are also Facebook groups for used curriculum.
From time to time, I’ve also found curriculum at thrift stores. I wouldn’t say this is an easy way to get what you need, but if you regularly browse thrift stores (like me), you may be surprised at what you discover.
3-Don’t Buy Homeschool Curriculum On a Whim
Have you heard the saying don’t go to the grocery store hungry?
You do that and you end up spending more than you planned, and buying stuff you don’t need. The same applies to homeschool curriculum!
Although I’ve been homeschooling since 2011, I didn’t attend my first homeschool conference until 2019. The exhibit hall with all the curriculum vendors was dangerous to say the least. Especially when so many of them were offering discounts and sales.
Now, for some homeschoolers, they know exactly what they are going to use and make very specific purchases at these conferences. I’m sure they score some great deals there.
When I attended in April, I had no idea what curriculum I might be needing in September. I could feel myself getting swayed by all the pretty things, though.
I told myself several times that I was only allowed to buy one thing. I’m happy to say I left with only a book of copywork sentences.
If you’re on a budget, it’s just best to list out what you need for what subjects and what children.
(PS. I have something to help you with that…keep reading!).
You’re less likely to buy things you don’t need because it’s based on a plan. From your intended plan, figure out if you can find anything using ideas #1 and #2. After that, you can make your purchases.
But before you do that, read #4!
4-Homeschool Curriculum Needs vs. Homeschool Curriculum Wants
When I’m planning curriculum for the year, I start by listing out all the things I’ll use to cover each subject. I also go ahead and list things that I think would just be nice to have as well.
For example, last year I considered purchasing a Spanish language program. I thought that would be nice, and possibly accelerate my boys’ learning.
However, after totaling up all the things I KNEW I needed to buy AND knowing that we are already learning Latin and using Duolingo (for free and the boys enjoy it), I decided that could always come later. It didn’t make the cut.
(Update: I did finally buy a Spanish curriculum when my son started high school. You can read more about those choices in my article Homeschool Curriculum Choices 2023-2024 and Homeschool Curriculum Choices 2024-2025)
Before buying, consider if it’s absolutely necessary. If you determine it’s just a want, but you really, really want it, maybe you can sub out something you need for something free or borrowed, while still honoring your budget.
5- Combine Homeschool Grades and Subjects
Last, but not least, consider grouping your kids of different ages/grades for subjects that can easily be combined, such as history, art, or science.
My first few years of homeschooling, I did not do this. It never really occurred to me to do it.
Then, through some major life changes like our adoption and having another baby, I realized it was not sensical to be teaching every subject individually. I just didn’t have the time. I’ve now combined the kids for art, history and Latin.
Use FREE Curriculum Planning Sheets
To ensure you’re fully equipped to plan out your curriculum needs like a boss, I’ve created a simple two-page curriculum planner you can use for each of your students.
It includes spaces for the following subjects:
- history
- math
- language
- writing
- spelling
- geography
- science
- art/music
- miscellaneous
There’s also space at the bottom to list literature selections for the year, or additional notes.
Be sure to download this free curriculum comparison worksheet, too. There’s space to jot down the intended curriculum, as well as the prices for three different vendors so you can make the most cost conscious choice
Final Thoughts About Budget Curriculum Choices
One life lesson I’ve learned is that it doesn’t always pay to nickel and dime yourself to death. Doing that can really suck the joy out of everything.
If that book you really want the kids to read has so many reserves at the library that you’re number 35 and they only have 3 copies, it’s pretty fair to say it’s going to be worth the splurge to buy.
Save yourself the frustration if you can!
Especially when you realize you need it next week and you should have ordered it sooner, blah blah blah.
Oh…you’ve done that too?
Don’t forget you can also consider selling what you don’t use, no longer need, or didn’t work, and loan or give it to friends. This might help you feel better about the curriculum you DO end up buying.
Whatever you do, don’t forget this: no curriculum is the perfect, magical answer you hope it will be.
You will not be failing your child if you can’t afford your dream curriculum and have to settle for something more affordable.
Ask God to bless your efforts as you make the best with what He has given you. In a world of all the shiny, pretty things, this is no simple feat. Nevertheless, I do believe it’s possible to homeschool within our means and have peace in the process.
