Suggestions
&
Tips
to save you lots of money!
Books to save you money:
The Cheapskates Guide to Living Cheaper and Better
Living More with Less
For books to save money in the kitchen, see my meals on a budget page.
Below are several of my ideas for saving money on books and in the kitchen!
Buying books and curriculum
I suggest, if you are starting out, that you spend as little as possible. Here's how:
1. Don't buy a pre-packaged curriculum. Sure that's easy for someone who homeschools to say, but it isn't easy for the beginner, you say? Actually, it is easy for the beginner. Look at me, That's how I did it. And if I can do it..... well you know the rest.
2. Figure out your child's learning style as well as yours.
3. Buy or borrow books by Ruth Beechick, Catherine Levison and a homeschool help book. If you are close to a library, borrow them from there, read them. The ones that you know will help you, go out and buy them (or save up to buy them). It'll be worth it.
4. If you want to buy the A beka books or BJU and others, buy them used, or if you have a friend or teacher in a private school get books from them that they no longer need. I have a sister who's children are in private schools and she sends me their books at the end of the year. Her kids just happen to be one year ahead of mine.
5. Ask your children what They want to learn or are interested in. You will find that your children will learn and enjoy the subject much better. It will make it easy on you. If you are ll stumped, go to the library, look through books and eventually everyone will find something that excites them. You might even go to the toy section and look at all the neat science experiments and things. It's a great resource and you can find things at a decent price.
6. For Art, look up famous artists and paintings on the internet.
7. Use online books for reading and even text books. Check out some of my links. Text books on line will save a lot! And don't forget to get lesson plans and worksheets online too!! Isn't the internet wonderful?
8. Use your library!!! This one I can not emphasize enough. It is a vast resource with books, videos, CD's cassettes, and computers. You WILL save money.
9. Go to the thrift store. You can find books for a quarter. I've found many great classics there for only 25 cents! As well as math textbooks, manipulatives, games and more. Use your imagination.
10. Visit the used book stores in your community. Trade in some of your used books for credit. It's a great way to recycle and save.
11. Used book sites on the internet too. Check them out, but make sure you are getting a fair price. I recommend you look up a book in a catalog first for a price before you buy on the net. I've gotten several things this way. The one I recommend to buy and sell is Vegsource, where you can list for sale items, poste wanted items and discuss homeschool on the boards.
12. If you buy from a catalog, check out buying on line first if you can. You may find a great deal on shipping charges. And often if you order a certain dollar amount, you won't be charged for shipping at all.
13. Downloading games and programs from the internet can save a lot.
14. Computer games can be a great way to enhance your child's learning. We like the jumpstart series (we have used k-5 so far), Davidson's and for fun we enjoy Back yard baseball, soccer and soon to come football by Humongous Entertainment (started by a homeschool family!)
15. If you buy A beka get the student books and make up your own tests (if your kids like that kind of thing) or ask questions orally by using the highlighted sections and words.
16. For BJU books, you can buy the teachers editions and not need the students. Take out the students and put it in a 3 ring binder. Now you have a teachers and a students book!
Save Money and time in the Kitchen
Plan your meals ahead by making a list of meals for the next two weeks. Next to the meal write the book name (or magazine) and page for quick reference.
Write down the ingredients you will need to buy as you make the list.
Use less meat and more fruit and vegetables. Or less fruit and vegetables and more meat. Meat and fat fills you up much faster and you can lose weight too. (Atkin's Diet can be found at Amazon.com)
Freeze onions, green and red peppers, shredded cheese, tomato paste,fruits, pies, leftovers and more. I like to cut up onions when I first bring them home (or as soon as time permits). I dice, chop and slice, put them in ziplock freezer bags and store them in easy reach. When I need them for a recipe, no need to thaw, just throw in what you need. Shred blocks of the cheeses you use most often and freeze in a ziplock bag. It is much cheaper than buying pre-shredded cheese and will last you a long time. For tomato paste: I got tired of recipes that call for a small amount and I didn't know what to do with the rest. Try this: Take out the amount that you need from the can, put the rest in ice cube trays, or in measuring cups. After they freeze, take them out and put in a ziplock. When you need it, it's already measured and ready to use.
Buy ground turkey (Louis Rich is my favorite). It is cheaper than buying ground beef.
Cook meals ahead and freeze them. For those days when you know you won't have time to cook, this comes in so handy and you are less likely to stop at the drive through of your favorite fast food restaurant if you know you have meals already made.
Cook ahead on the weekends or a day when you have more time. Let your kids help out. It's a great learning experience (and life experience). First, for all the meals that include ground meat, cook those, or all the ones for chicken, etc. all at once. Add the vegetables or other ingredients, put in ziplock freezer bags, or tupperware type bowls and freeze. Make sure to label and date it. Plan to use it within the next two weeks.
Check out my recipes for saving money and a lot of time.
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