A common misconception when it comes to homeschooling is that it is expensive. This is far from the truth, in fact, I am going to share several ways that you can actually save money by homeschooling your kids!
The truth is that homeschooling can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you’d like. There are homeschool options that will work for every financial state, even while in a financial crisis.
If you want to be completely hands-off, that is absolutely possible. Should you prefer to create your own curriculum, go for it! Either way, I’m cheering you on!
I’m certain that the 7 ways to save money by homeschooling your kids that I’ve put together is by far not a complete list of the costs to public or private school parents. However, it should give you an idea of how much cheaper it can be to homeschool your children.
7 Ways to Save Money By Homeschooling Your Kids
- You don’t have to buy school clothes
While not all public or private schools have uniforms, there is still a substantial difference in purchasing clothes for children being homeschooled vs. those that are in public or private schools. The price of clothes increases as children get older when what their peers think/wear becomes apparent/important.
- No backpacks or lunch boxes/bags required
Backpacks and lunch boxes/bags typically are purchased on a yearly basis. Younger kids sometimes need a couple of each per school year due to loss and wear and tear. Older students may be able to use them for a couple of years as they become more responsible.
- Field trips
As homeschoolers, you will likely go on field trips, but you’ll be able to pick and choose them yourself. So, if paid field trips aren’t in the budget, then you can find free local or virtual field trip options or you can skip them until you can afford them. After all, field trips are fun and educational, but they are not required for homeschoolers. In public or private schools, your kids can’t just skip the field trips, they are required.
- No teachers’ or principal gifts
These can be expensive depending on how many children you have in school and how many teachers each of them have. They can also be stressful both for you and your children for various reasons.
- School pictures
I don’t know of a public or private school picture to be the favorite shot of a child. You don’t get to see their face and remind them to “say cheese”, so how could they be?
- No fundraisers to purchase from
Your kids are supposed to sell to other people, but how do you find time to do that when they’re in school all day, doing sports and homework after school, games on the weekend, etc? So, you end up purchasing things yourself so they can earn a prize that is likely to break 5 minutes after they get it home.
- Gas
Even if your kids ride the bus to and from school, there will be days you have to go pick them up because they’re sick, early release, dr. appointments, sports games to attend, etc.
Not sure where to get started? Check out these free resources to help as you consider beginning your own homeschooling journey!
- Free Homeschool Placement Tests
- How to Homeschool Preschool + Free Printable Readiness Checklist
- How to Homeschool Kindergarten + Free Printable Readiness Checklist
- How to Homeschool Elementary + Free Printable Readiness Checklist
- How to Homeschool Middle School + Free Printable Readiness Checklist
- How to Homeschool High School + Free Printable Readiness Checklist
Are kids already in public or private school? The resources below will help with the next step.
- How to Deal with Your Child’s School When You Decide to Homeschool
- Letter of Intent to Homeschool Template
- How to Talk to Your Child About Pulling Them Out of School
- How to Deschool and Start Homeschooling
- Fun Ways to Transition to Homeschooling Over the Summer
On a budget or want to try homeschooling over the summer? You can homeschool for free!
- Free Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
- Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
- Free Elementary Homeschool Curriculum
- Free Middle School Homeschool Curriculum
- Free High School Homeschool Curriculum
- Homeschool Charlotte Mason for Free
Need a second income to homeschool? I have always worked while homeschooling – in many different ways!
