How Much Does it Cost?

Recently I was asked how much it costs to homeschool.? How long is a piece of string?? This is quite a difficult question to answer.? Probably the best way is for me to explain what we spend our money on.

Firstly, I should share some background information with you:
~ We are registered to homeschool with the Qld Government, so do not use a distant education provider.
~ I do not keep an exact record of how much I have spent on what.? Maybe I should?
~ During our first year of home educating I went slightly ?crazy? buying all sorts of curriculum?barely use any of it now.? I believe this was a stage I needed to go through to get where I am now.
~ Due to my kids interests, many of the gifts that I buy them can be classed as ?educational?. {Science kits, craft supplies, board games, logic puzzles, construction toys, books etc.}? I don?t really see these as an educational expense as they were given as gifts.
~ We live within our means.? There are many resources, activities and experiences that I?d love to share with the kids, but I also need to watch my spending.? I make the most of free events, the library, second-hand shops, sales, parks, day-to-day life etc.
~ I am home educating 3 children.? When I purchase resources I always keep in mind that they will be used by most, if not all, the kids at some stage.? Sometimes I divide the cost by 3 to get a better idea of home much I?m spending on each child.

Our Expenses

Outsourced Activities:
~ Weekly dance, swimming and piano lessons.
~ Art workshops.
~ Cricket in summer.
Prior to home educating the kids were already attending dance, cricket and swimming lessons.? The piano lessons and art workshops were included this year as per the kids request.? We have cut down in other areas to accomodate them.

Purchased Resources:
~ Stationery {paper, coloured pens & pencils, manilla folders etc. from Big W during back-to-school sale}
~ Art & craft supplies {craft bits & pieces, paints, brushes, joining materials etc. from Big W or cheap shop}
~ Science kits {Ein-O purchased from Toy Outlet}
~ Books {mostly ?how to?s? from the Book Depository or Second-hand book shops}
~ Construction toys & manipulatives {Fishpond or Toy Outlet}
~ Board & card games, puzzles {Big W, Fishpond or Toy Outlet}
~ Audios {history & classic stories from Book Depository or Peacehill Press}
~ PC games {online or Harvey Norman}
~ Magazine subscriptions & purchase a newspaper weekly {we like to provide the kids with a selection of reading materials}
~ Internet connection
~ Printer toner {Office Toner}
At the moment I am not purchasing any curriculum.? We have plenty of texts to refer to, however I find the internet or library a more useful resource.? Also I always try to make resources from what I have on hand.

Out & About:
~ Museums, zoos, theatre productions, various workshops, galleries, library activities, festivals, markets, theme parks, fishing & camping trips etc.
We aim to incorporate many learning experiences {free & paid} into the kid?s days.

Hidden Expenses:
~ Obviously I do not work.? So in most home educating families a second income is forfeited.
~ Higher electricity and water bills.? If you are taking your child out of school, then you will probably notice an increase in these bills as they are spending more time at home.
~ Possible increase in car expenses.? We do a fair bit of travelling for the kids to attend certain events.

Every family income, wants and needs are different.? It?s hard to put a dollar value on it.? I know one mum who budgets $250 per child per year and another $2000 per child per year.? At a ?guestimate?, we?d probably spend the equivilant of paying for the kids to attend the local church school.? However that includes all the kids ?Outsourced Activities? and ?Out & About? experiences.

The time we spend together as a family is priceless!

Source: http://learning-alongside.com/how-much-does-it-cost

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