How does one homeschool and watch one's pennies at the same time?
I have to admit, I often struggle with this. There is so much curriculum and learning materials available that I think.. I can do that with the lad or I can do this with the lad or... OOH>>> Look at that new thing!!!!
Being on lots of newsletters doesn't help with that you know. I see things on sale and think oh have just GOT to have that.
So a while back I was talking with God about it and since then he's laid it on my heart to think... First things First. What is most important?
I have to admit, I often struggle with this. There is so much curriculum and learning materials available that I think.. I can do that with the lad or I can do this with the lad or... OOH>>> Look at that new thing!!!!
Being on lots of newsletters doesn't help with that you know. I see things on sale and think oh have just GOT to have that.
So a while back I was talking with God about it and since then he's laid it on my heart to think... First things First. What is most important?
When I look at educating my son, these are the things that I look to as most important. Are the exclusive? Definitely not.But they are what I look to first.
We love science in this house. We don't have any issues with getting dirty and cleaning things up. It's not a concern to me at all. BUT it's not a first priority. Still means we do it and a couple years ago I picked up a science book that I can use for the next three years. possibly longer if I apply myself and think on how to expand ideas.
Music.. I love to sing, though I often sing off-key, my son likes to sing and like me... he often sings off-key.. and that's okay. :) It's part of learning to love God and live the way he wants us to.. so it's important to sing.. even if we sing off-key. :) How do we do this frugally? Hymns, songs on-line, discount books, and we have a keyboard. :)
This year I've been VERY focused on reading and learning math. We sometimes lag in this, so I've made it a priority this year. Every day we read... and wow.. the sheer number of books I have and the sheer number that the library has. It is so easy to find books to read, and ways to learn how to do things. And math on-line... TONS of stuff like Khan Academy, Cool Math games, head of the class, and then the practical of.. You just sold this fellow some mice bud, he gave you $20 but only needed to give you $13, give him the correct change. Or going to the grocery store.. we've got $20 to spend, we need to buy this and this... what will we have left over? So much more user friendly doing math that way then doing book work. :)
Yearly passes to Provincial Parks proves a wealth of nature learning as they often have camper activities, nature weekends, and just going out and enjoying nature... one learns so much just by going out and listening and watching. :) Yearly museum passes are a boon to us as well.
If I didn't consider what our first priorities are in schooling our lad, it would be so easy to be led off to the sidelines after this or that new thing. Keeping first things first helps me to keep my pocketbook safely shut. Even when I'm at homeschool conferences where they have lots of sales, or at used homeschool sales, book sales and yard sales. Think on it and consider it... is this part of what we really need?
This is what works for me in practicing frugality in our homeschool journey.
So tell me... what works for you?
We love science in this house. We don't have any issues with getting dirty and cleaning things up. It's not a concern to me at all. BUT it's not a first priority. Still means we do it and a couple years ago I picked up a science book that I can use for the next three years. possibly longer if I apply myself and think on how to expand ideas.
Music.. I love to sing, though I often sing off-key, my son likes to sing and like me... he often sings off-key.. and that's okay. :) It's part of learning to love God and live the way he wants us to.. so it's important to sing.. even if we sing off-key. :) How do we do this frugally? Hymns, songs on-line, discount books, and we have a keyboard. :)
This year I've been VERY focused on reading and learning math. We sometimes lag in this, so I've made it a priority this year. Every day we read... and wow.. the sheer number of books I have and the sheer number that the library has. It is so easy to find books to read, and ways to learn how to do things. And math on-line... TONS of stuff like Khan Academy, Cool Math games, head of the class, and then the practical of.. You just sold this fellow some mice bud, he gave you $20 but only needed to give you $13, give him the correct change. Or going to the grocery store.. we've got $20 to spend, we need to buy this and this... what will we have left over? So much more user friendly doing math that way then doing book work. :)
Yearly passes to Provincial Parks proves a wealth of nature learning as they often have camper activities, nature weekends, and just going out and enjoying nature... one learns so much just by going out and listening and watching. :) Yearly museum passes are a boon to us as well.
If I didn't consider what our first priorities are in schooling our lad, it would be so easy to be led off to the sidelines after this or that new thing. Keeping first things first helps me to keep my pocketbook safely shut. Even when I'm at homeschool conferences where they have lots of sales, or at used homeschool sales, book sales and yard sales. Think on it and consider it... is this part of what we really need?
This is what works for me in practicing frugality in our homeschool journey.
So tell me... what works for you?
A big part in our learning to be frugal is the sheer amount of quality goods I receive as being part of the TOS review crew. I love it! :) I sometimes get things that don't really work out for us, but often the things we get are a blessing to us. :)
This post is done as part of the carnival hosted by the Crew. :) The topic "on being frugal" can be found on March 12. I do hope that you will join us then?
But until then, please, share with me on how you are frugal in your homeschool journey.
This post is done as part of the carnival hosted by the Crew. :) The topic "on being frugal" can be found on March 12. I do hope that you will join us then?
But until then, please, share with me on how you are frugal in your homeschool journey.
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