[KR258]

Not including the fact that you're staying home to teach but how much are the supplies and do you get discounts or anything from your district?

[twinzplus3]

That really is debatable. I spend about $3000 per year for five children. I buy some books. . .about $600 per year and then the rest gets spent on field trips, outside classes, manipulatives or 'other materials'. I use the library for the bulk of my books though and only order what I can't get from the library. I know people who spend more and those who spend less. You can homeschool really well for free or mostly free. (Some people wouldn't include field trips in their budget, etc.)

[twinzplus3]

Oh in some districts you can get stuff. . .but most homeschoolers will shy away from getting things from their local school district. It really depends on your state laws and then it depends on the folks in your district. Some will be really nice and others not so much so. But keep in mind that getting something from your district (if they'll allow it) will invite them to participate in your child's education in a way that might be objectionable to you. Before you agree to take anything. . .ask what they want in return.

[ahermitt]

You should read the following blog posts that cover this:
A Homeschooler and Their Money will Not Be Parted?
A Homeschooler and Their Money: Don't Get Me Started!
A Homeschooler and Their Money will gladly be Parted?
The Cost of Homeschooling - Homeschool - Families.com

[KR258]

Thank you

[twinzplus3]

You should--those are all excellent posts written on the subject. I would encourage though that really homeschooling costs what you can afford it to cost. If you don't have a budget at all for buying books--you don't need one. You can obtain oodles of stuff from the libraries. Most libraries now are connected to each other via internet which means that you can order any book you want in the system and have it delivered to your closest library--very nice feature that has the effect of expanding small libraries with limited resources.

Another thing to consider is joining a science or kid's museum. At the onset you might think it's expensive. . .and if you're NEVER going to go it might be. But many science museums and/or children's museums offer things like hands on kits to take home for members. That's how I got use of a super fancy schmancy microscope and telescope last year. . .items that I would never be able to purchase.
Anyways, my point is where there is a will, there is a way. Kara--you probably realize this too--but I work from home (as does andrea) as a freelance writer. While granted I make less than I would be if I had a full time job, I do bring in some income and do decently.

[KR258]

I have thought about writing as a means of income...but I am not creative and I doubt I remember anything about grammer (even though I was a A+ student in that subject) I just don't even know how to start and have nothing interesting to write about. At the moment (which I know could change in a few years) I can't even think straight to make sentences that make any sense. It might be because I have a almost 2 year old talking baby talk to me all day and I am pregnant or that I just don't get enough adult interaction? lol

I was wondering because I am trying to fit it into our regular budget or so we can save for it in the future. We currently have a zoo membership and it gives us a discount to the aquarium and the museums around here too.

dh is getting a job offer on Monday...hopefully it's what we're hoping for or more. I know it is in the range we need I just hope it isn't below that because I really want to pay for all our bills by ourself. (right now my dad is helping with some of our bills and I really want to pay him back and I want him to keep his money for himself!)

[twinzplus3]

yeah. . .but again if your budget is $0. . .you can do it on $0. Everyone has their different list of 'must haves'. . .but you can homeschool for free. It doesn't have to be expensive.

[KR258]

How do you know what to teach? Do they give you a list of what has to be taught? I read HSLDA laws for FL...but it doesn't seem too clear to me whether there is a standard. If you're doing it without money that means you make up the curriculum or is there anywhere you can get free ideas? I know that you can get books from the library...do they have books for such things?

I do realize I have a few years...I just want to be prepared and know exactly what I am getting into.

[twinzplus3]

My personal favorite book for new homeschoolers is called the homeschool manual. Andrea has written a whole huge thing on a typical course of study. But honestly, if I were in your shoes. . .at the very, very beginning, I'd just pick out some good books and read to her. But since you have a few years, you have awhile to research and think about what makes sense to you. Any book that you check out for new homeschoolers will have a suggested course of study. (Oh and no, FL has no 'required' subjects.) In general, you will not want to get things through and from the BOE however, I will say that in both NY and CT I have found the BOE websites to be helpful in guaging where my kids are at and what they should be studying. Not that you have to follow it at all. . .but it can be one tool.