Are school trappings and froufrou needlessly costing you money?

Recently I stumbled across this little article concerning financing your homeschool. Geeeeesh, if this isn't enough to scare you away from deciding to homeschool I don't know what is.

The author writes: "When you need to make sure that your children receives state-of-the-art education so that they can compete with regular school goers, expenses will naturally mount."

What exactly IS a "state-of-the-art" education and since when do "regular" school goers get such a thing in public school? Most public school graduates I've met can barely read and write beyond a present day 8th grade level. Gee, I didn't realize public schooling was meant to be a competition. Personally, I don't want my unschoolers to compete with anyone. I want them to be self-sufficient and leaders within their own community and businesses.

The author also writes: "The actual cost of educating a child at home is surprisingly high. Up-to-date textbooks, course materials, a library, computing equipment, lighting, specially designed furniture all cost money."

One of the first things we learned 23 years ago as newbie homeschoolers was how unnecessary textbooks, course materials, specially designed furniture, school trappings and froufrou were to the success of our child's education. We quickly canned the desks, textbooks, curricula, tests, grades, school room and anything remotely associated with schooling. We simply began to live our lives on a day-to-day basis and did what we could afford to do, not what was expected of us by outside prying and schooled eyes. Also, the last time I checked a library card was free!

Home education is only as expensive as you want it to be. You have total control of your finances and budget. If you do need extra financing for your homeschool you can get some ideas at this link.

Don't feel pressured into thinking your child needs to attend every available opportunity and lesson to become a well rounded, intelligent, caring person. An overload of dance lessons, karate lessons, sports, summer camp and tons of other outside-the-home activities will not only be costly but may also burnout both parent and child. Relax and take life as it comes!