Here’s a truth that not every homeschooling blogger is willing to tell you. You do not have to buy.all.the.things.
It’s true! You do not have to have overflowing bookshelves and new curriculum every single year. In fact, lots of moms are homeschooling very frugally, spending very little or no money at all — so it is very possible to continue homeschooling while paying off debt. You just need a game plan!
Here are some tips and tricks for paying off your debt while you homeschool.
One way to homeschool while paying off debt is to accept hand-me-downs.
Are you friends with other homeschooling moms who have older children, or do you belong to any groups of fellow homeschoolers? Instead of purchasing a new curriculum every year, ask your friends if they can pass down what they have been using, or sell it to you at a low cost.
While you may still have to purchase new supplies, using hand-me-down curriculum can cut some of your costs immensely, allowing you to still have extra funds for your other debt. Our co-op even has a free table each week and lots of moms share generously with clothing and books!
Maybe you could suggest something like that if you attend a Homeschool Co-op.
Another great way to homeschool while paying off debt is to utilize free sites.
There are many free resources available for your homeschool that offer free worksheets and games and even courses. It may take some time to find just the right site that is suitable for what you and your child are currently working on, but it will be well worth the time to look into it. You can also ask other homeschoolers what their favorite sites are.
The Internet is a great tool for homeschooling families these days. Easy Peasy is a great example of a free homeschooling curriculum that you can use. Instead of paying for an expensive curriculum, you can use a free one and use that money to pay off debt. It is the small savings that add up to big ones that also help you pay off the most debt.
Sell old materials to pay off debt while you are homeschooling.
There may come a time when you must use curriculum that you purchase, but when you are through with it, see if you can make any money from it. If you decide you’re done with a curriculum, you can always sell it to make extra money.
While you can sell your old homeschooling materials, you can also sell other things in your house. Utilize down time and get the whole family involved in selling items around the house. It’s truly amazing how much money your family can make by selling items you no longer need, want, or use. Use this money to pay off debt.
If you are paying off debt while homeschooling – stop comparing yourself to others.
You may hear a lot of homeschool moms in your circles talking about all the money they spend on homeschooling. I live in a pretty affluent area and it is not uncommon for moms to outsource almost every subject and buy into every new trend. That’s great for them if it’s working, but our family is trying to be careful with our money and we actually want to be involved in the process of homeschooling our kids. If I wanted to outsource, I’d send them to school!
Make the library your best friend and pay off debt while homeschooling.
As a homeschooling mom, I’ve found it easier than ever to find high quality and free material. But there is no substitute for a good book and lots of reading. With this in mind, don’t hesitate to visit your local library. Your kids can learn a lot from the books they borrow. Plus, you can easily take advantage of the free events happening at your local library, without spending a dime.
Don’t forget that libraries often offer free audio book downloads and access to sites like Lynda.com which offers courses on all kinds of subjects!
Get your side hustle on to pay off debt while homeschooling.
One of the things Dave Ramsey recommends in the debt repayment process is that you find more ways to earn money. From delivering pizza to teaching with VIPKid, there are lots of opportunities for part time income you can make in the evenings and weekends. Side hustles are not easy money. It’s a lot of work to homeschool and then work part-time. But it does pay off. Pun intended.
Do not ever let the cost of homeschooling deter you from the amazing adventure. You can have a successful homeschool journey while paying off debt — and your kids can even learn from your experience as they watch you succeed!
Wait for Curriculum Sales to pay off Debt while Homeschooling.
Your favorite curriculum providers will have sales during big holidays, or at a set time several times throughout the year. Save up your homeschooling budget and spend it during these sales. If you are a military family or a missionary family, look for homeschool curriculum providers who offer these groups extra discounts year round. Shop the big sales like the Build Your Bundle sale held each Spring, when curriculum providers team up and offer huge discounts on bundles of digital homeschool curriculum. Or consider using an all in one source for your homeschooling needs, like Schoolhouse Teachers, which you can literally use for all of your children no matter what ages.
How are you saving money on homeschooling necessities to pay off debt? Please share in the comments.
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