Homeschooling on a Budget
- Lacie D’Alessio
- Dec 11, 2025
- 1 min read
Empowering families to provide quality education without overspending.
Tips for Saving Money While Homeschooling.
Leverage Public Libraries: Tap into free books, eBooks, audiobooks, and even access
to online educational databases.
Use Free Online Resources: Websites like Khan Academy, OpenStax, and YouTube
offer a treasure trove of free lessons and tutorials across all subjects.
Buy Secondhand: Look for used textbooks, curriculum materials, and supplies at
homeschooling co-ops, online marketplaces, or local thrift stores.
Plan and Bulk Buy Supplies: Create a yearly supply list and purchase in bulk to save on
frequently used items like paper, pencils, and art supplies.
DIY Projects: Engage in cost effective, hands-on projects using everyday household
items: like a homemade volcano using baking soda and vinegar.
Finding Free Resources
Open Educational Resources (OER): Free, openly licensed materials available online,
such as lesson plans, worksheets, and entire curricula.
Community Support: Join local homeschooling groups or co-ops to share resources and
swap materials.
Local Parks and Museums: Many institutions offer free or discounted programs for
homeschool families.
Creating Cost-Effective Lesson Plans
Integrate Subjects: Combine subjects like history, science, and art into thematic unit
studies, reducing the need for separate resources.
Set a Budget per Lesson: Stick to a cost limit and find creative ways to stay within it:
like borrowing or using free digital tools.
Student-Led Learning: Let your child’s curiosity guide the process. A passion project
can be inexpensive and deeply engaging.
I definitely recommend the dollar tree for notebooks, flashcards, school supplies, books, office and organizing accessories. Really just invest is higher quality products that you can get years' worth of use out of. Being out in nature is a free classroom full of learning opportunities in itself as well!
As a homeschooling parent, I have definitely made the mistake of overspending on curriculums (what can I say? I love books!). Instead of looking at all the options and dreaming about all the things you can buy for homeschooling (because there are so many cool options now!) decide on what your budget is first. Then, as the article points out, you can utilize free and low-cost options to fill in some or all of your curriculum needs. A little planning and some creativity can go a long way!