Today, while the economy is falling apart around us we need to rethink our priorities and allow room for some much needed deliberation. Everyone seems to be on the government dole but, if you're like me, you are constantly looking for ways to keep your homeschool humming along without sponging off the taxpayers or breaking your piggy bank. The following are a few ideas we found helpful and succeeded in keeping us out of the poor house.
1. Library card. Nearly every town and city in America has a public free library. Register for a free membership card and you'll have access to all the age appropriate books, magazines, videos and internet service you'll ever need.
2. Freecycle and dumpster diving. Freecycle is an online organization with members who run local chapters. Find the one nearest you, sign up and start receiving offers for a plethora of free stuff. The only drawback is you'll need to go pick the items up. A day at the local dump can net you some freebies too and it isn't always junk.
3. Tag sales and estate sales. Look for the seller's free piles. The early bird may get the worm but sometimes it's better to wait it out. Go to a tag sale or estate sale later in the day when the seller is ready to just give it away. By the end of the sale some of these free piles can be huge with gently used brand name items and tons of books or clothing!
4. Family and friends. Once family and friends learn you're educating your own children they eventually start talking your homeschooling language. Many are willing to pitch in and their gift giving and thoughtfulness becomes much more educationally oriented. Family and friends can also be mentors.
5. Imagination and creativity. Of all the ways to homeschool for free this is probably the most important. Einstein once said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." Cultivate your imagination and use it. Don't overload yourself or your children with busy work. Focus on reading, writing, arithmetic and U.S. Constitution. That includes your own academic skills too. All things will branch out from there and fall into place.
Now, go forth and prowl the world as a proud freegan!
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1 comment:
I had never heard of "feecycle" before.Very interesting concept ;)
Thank you for sharing your cost saving homeschooling tips!
~Learning how to homeschool isn't easy, but it's worth it! ~> Proud HS'ing mom "Keri" to DD & DS <3
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