Many families mistakenly think that homeschooling costs a lot of money and requires expensive curriculum and drop-off programs. But it doesn’t! The truth is that there are many free resources online, local libraries have a ton of resources available, and there are lots of ways to make every dollar stretch.
GSHE is here to help you.
We compiled all our best tips into our Making Home Ed More Affordable how-to guide. It includes several money-saving programs, access to our huge directory that includes over 150 entirely free resources, a bunch of educator discounts, places to get an educator ID card if needed, and several free printables including parent and student planners. We also have lots of information on dual-enrollment discounted programs.
GSHE has two marketplace opportunities to help buyers and sellers of gently-used resources find each other. We have GSHE Marketplace in our community forums that is available 24/7 and Marketplace Mondays in our huge Facebook group! Members are encouraged to post ISO various resources, as well as sell or trade any gently-used materials they no longer want. It’s a great way to save a bundle and make room for the next set of materials. Win-win!!
Everything is accessible with a free registered account at our website.
Don’t feel like you have to jump in and do everything all at once! Slow down, enjoy your kids, read books together, watch a movie, go for a walk, go for a drive, stop for an ice cream, take the time to appreciate that you stepped out of the busy-busy-busy of school world. There will be plenty of opportunities to dive into the bigger things, but at first, find the small joys and the happiness in the choice you’ve made for your family, one day at a time.
Once you have your home ed notification filed with your choice of Participating Agency, you can take all the time you need to “deschool,” which is a time to rethink, refresh, and rediscover your child’s interests. It’s great for you and your child!
When you’re ready to start planning your family’s home ed experience, we can help you explore your options and available resources. Go to our Building a Custom Learning Plan guide to help you consider your objectives, your child’s unique needs and goals, how your child learns best, and get familiar with the amazing range of options that are available.
Curriculum Tips
- If you order curriculum now for Fall, check the contents when the box arrives! Something could be incorrect, or missing, and there’s typically a reporting window to get it corrected by the company.
- Always check for a discount code. Sign up for the curriculum emails, and create an account to shop. Add items you want to your cart while you are signed in, and let it sit. Sometimes the system will flag it and send you a discount code to entice you to check out!
- Follow all the Facebook pages for curriculum you are interested in to watch for sales. Most companies offer some type of sale throughout the year!
- Sign up for the emails for those companies as well, even if it’s with a separate homeschooling email.
- Check homeschool resale groups on Facebook. Some curricula have their own resale groups, while others are just general. Local ones will save you on shipping!
- Connect with other homeschoolers to sell or swap curriculum ~ and to try things out before you buy them.
- Many publishers have online samples and placement tests to help you figure out what level is best suited for your children.
- You don’t need to buy an entire curriculum in a box at a single grade level. Most kids are at various levels in different subjects and that’s perfectly fine. Take your time to explore your options before making a big purchase.
- If you attend periodic homeschool meet-ups, ask the other parents to bring whatever materials they’ve used so you all can discuss, compare, and browse all kinds of resources.
