Budget Homeschooling: Getting a Full Education for Almost Nothing

You Can Homeschool for Under $200 a Year

That number shocks people. But it is completely achievable, and many families spend even less. The expensive homeschooling model — boxed curriculum, co-op fees, private tutors, every book new — is one option, not the only option. Here is how to build a real education on a shoestring.

The Library Is Your Curriculum

The public library is the most underused homeschool resource in existence. With a free library card you have access to:

• Physical books on every subject
• Libby/OverDrive — free e-books and audiobooks on your phone
• Hoopla — free movies, documentaries, comics, and audiobooks
• Library programs and events, many of which are educational

A Charlotte Mason or unit study approach that uses library books as the backbone can deliver a genuinely rich education at essentially zero material cost.

Free Curricula Worth Using

• Khan Academy: Free, comprehensive math and science from K-12. Genuinely excellent. Many families use it as their primary math curriculum.
• Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: A complete K-12 curriculum online, free, designed for homeschoolers. Secular version also available.
• Ambleside Online: Free Charlotte Mason curriculum with full book lists and schedules
• CK-12: Free digital textbooks for science and math
• Starfall: Free phonics and early reading for K-2

What Is Worth Paying For

Even on a tight budget, a few things are worth the investment:

• A solid math curriculum (math gaps compound, so this is not the place to skimp — but Math Mammoth is under $40 for a full year)
• Spelling or reading programs if your child needs structured phonics instruction
• A composition notebook and printer paper — physical writing materials are cheap and valuable

Cost-Sharing Strategies

If you are part of a co-op, share expensive materials. One family buys the science kit, another the art supplies, another the history texts. Rotate them between families and split the cost.

Buy used. Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and eBay all have large used curriculum markets. Many popular curricula resell for 30-50% of their original price in excellent condition.

Sell what you finish. Most curricula hold their resale value well. If you buy a curriculum for $80 and sell it for $50 when you are done, your net cost was $30.