Homeschooling on a Budget: A Great Education for Cheap
Inside: Learn how to homeschool on a budget with free and affordable resources, cheap online curriculums, and smart money-saving tips for families.
Homeschooling your kids doesn’t have to mean draining your bank account. In fact, with a little creativity and some strategic planning, you can give your children a rich, meaningful education while sticking to a modest budget. Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or just looking to cut costs, this guide is packed with tips, resources, and ideas for homeschooling on a budget — without sacrificing quality.
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Homeschooling on a Budget: A Great Education for Cheap
I currently have 10 years of homeschooling under my belt. Ten years of budgeting to make sure that I give my kids the best education that I can, without breaking the bank. It has it’s struggles but there are soem amazing resources out there if you know where to look.
Does Homeschooling Save Money?
One of the first questions families ask is: Is homeschooling cheaper than public school?
The answer? It depends.
While you might avoid fees for school supplies, field trips, and fundraisers, homeschooling comes with its own expenses: curriculum, materials, extracurriculars, and sometimes even loss of income if a parent stays home.
On average, the cost of homeschooling per year can range from $300 to $2,500 per child depending on what resources you use. However, by tapping into free homeschooling on a budget resources and affordable programs, you can easily keep costs low.
Affordable (and Free!) Homeschool Curriculum Options
The good news is there are plenty of budget-friendly and even completely free options out there!
Free Homeschool Curriculum with Daily Lesson Plans
One of the most popular options is Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool — a comprehensive, Christian-based online program offering free homeschooling on a budget. It includes daily lesson plans for all grade levels and covers everything from math to art.
Cheap Online Homeschool Curriculum
If you prefer a more structured or secular option, consider cheap online homeschool curriculum programs like:
- SchoolhouseTeachers.com – access to hundreds of courses for a family fee
- Time4Learning – low monthly rates with access to core and elective subjects
- Khan Academy – free video lessons in math, science, history, and more
- Freedom Homeschooling – a collection of free online courses and curriculum options
- CK12 – Ck12 provides free and customizable K-12 open educational resources aligned to state (California) curriculum standards. (We use this site more than any other!)
Where to Buy Budget-Friendly Homeschool Supplies
When you’re gathering curriculum and materials, the Homeschool Marketplace is your friend. This is a community-driven place to buy, sell, or swap used curriculum. You can also find budget-friendly options at:
- Facebook homeschool buy/sell groups
- eBay and ThriftBooks for discounted books
- Dollar stores for art supplies, folders, and flashcards
- Printable curriculum sites (like Teachers Pay Teachers or seasonal homeschool blogs — hint: grab our homeschool budget printable at the bottom of the page!)
Homeschool Room Ideas on a Budget
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect homeschool room to succeed. Plenty of families homeschool at the kitchen table, on the living room floor, or outside in the backyard. We tried a homeschool room for about 6 months a few years ago, and I think we used that room once. It was a beautiful room, with huge windows, but we had to go there, whereas we naturally just do school at the dining room table.
Some easy, frugal homeschool room ideas:
- Use plastic bins or repurposed containers for organizing books and supplies
- Turn a corner of your living room into a cozy reading nook with thrifted cushions
- Create a bulletin board or chalkboard wall using dollar store supplies
- Utilize free printables and DIY posters to decorate your space
Remember — it’s about creating a functional, inspiring environment, not about spending a fortune.
Homeschooling Budget & Planning Tools
Want to stay organized and keep costs in check? A homeschool budget template or homeschool budgeting curriculum can help you track expenses and plan for upcoming purchases.
You can easily find homeschool budget printables online (many for free) or make your own in a spreadsheet. Track costs like:
- Curriculum purchases
- School supplies
- Field trips
- Extracurricular classes
- Subscription services (like online programs or educational streaming)
How Much Does Homeschooling Cost Per Year (and Month)?
On average:
- $300–$600 per child per year if using mostly free or budget resources
- $1,000–$2,500 per child per year if using accredited programs, extracurriculars, and new curriculum
How much does homeschooling cost per month?
If you spread that out, expect $25–$200 per month, depending on your choices.
How much does online homeschooling cost?
Programs like Time4Learning start at around $25 per month, while accredited programs range from $50–$300 per month.
Is Homeschooling Free?
Technically — it can be. If you rely on resources like Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, Khan Academy, and library books, you could homeschool entirely free, aside from occasional supplies.
Many families on homeschooling on a budget Reddit threads recommend starting with free options before investing in curriculum.
It can take some trial and error to learn what works best for your kids, their learning style, your teaching style, and the time that you have available to dedicate to learning versus how much time the curriculum requires.
Can You Get Money for Homeschooling from the Government?
In most areas, homeschooling is privately funded by families. However, some states or provinces offer tax deductions, education savings accounts (ESAs), or reimbursement programs for homeschool expenses.
Check your local homeschooling laws to see what support or help with homeschooling costs might be available.
A Rich Education Without Breaking the Bank
Homeschooling on a budget isn’t just possible — it’s practical, empowering, and rewarding.
By choosing free or cheap online homeschool curriculum, repurposing household items for your learning space, and tapping into secondhand resources, you can provide a high-quality education without the hefty price tag of traditional schooling.
The key is to start simple, stay flexible, and remember that meaningful learning happens everywhere — not just in fancy classrooms or expensive programs.
Quick Resources to Get You Started:
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: allinonehomeschool.com
- Khan Academy: khanacademy.org
- Freedom Homeschooling: freedomhomeschooling.com
- Homeschool Marketplace: Check Facebook groups or homeschoolclassifieds.com
Want More?
How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Your Family
Homeschooling Methods: Choosing the Best One for Your Family
