Newcomers to home education may ask themselves if it is ok to spend less on education. When it comes to our children we feel we should give them the best in essential provisions. If we care enough to be sure they get fresh fruits and home cooked foods then shouldn't we be equally concerned with educational quality? You get what you pay for after all.

This does not necessarily hold true for education even though the notion of free education usually goes in hand with a collection of outdated books and things that do not flow together leaving huge gaps in knowledge. Cheap does not have to mean old and better thrown in the trash in this day and age.

The best things can be frugal!

-Know your curriculum. If you choose a curriculum, become familiar with the editions you will need for the upcoming year. You can hunt for discounted books or second hand ones with confidence that you can rule out any that are no longer in use.

-Select a method that allows for natural learning and real books. Real books can be a great source of information and often have more in depth coverage of topics than a textbook that offers a condensed view on a broad range of study.

-Use the internet. The internet can be a great resource for educational tools like printable flashcards, games, virtual tours, photographs and printable activity sheets. There are now options for entire curriculum options online for low or no cost.

-Use your local library. Many branches now offer a large variety of educational books, movies, kits and even books from curriculum publishers. You don't have to stop at just getting novels or fictional books for the kids to read.

-Check second hand and discounted books carefully. If you find some low priced materials, look it over carefully to be sure the material is still relevant. With homeschooling becoming more common, the availability of quality books has risen but there are still many old books that are better left on the shelf out there.

The most important thing is to be familiar with your educational plan and follow it when you are looking for materials if you want to be sure your children are getting a good education. Just like any good deal, it's only good if you can really use it and need it.

When I began homeschooling, I had no internet to turn to for information. It was a difficult search to get what I needed to begin. Today, the internet, local resources and the library can offer a large amount of information. This should mean it's easier, right?

?

Not at all. Many parents find the wealth of knowledge very overwhelming to sift through. So where does a parent begin?

I have written some basic steps to help you to make sense of it all. Once you start understanding terms and options, it does become easier to wade in deeper on your own.

Find out what your state laws are so you can register for homeschooling if that is required.

Look up the homeschool groups in your area. They can be valuable assets in figuring out where to begin legally in your state, finding local resources and even making decisions on curriculum. Some of them can be found in listings by state, others have their own websites and Yahoo groups are another good place to look.

Read homeschooling guides and sites. Some guides offer excellent tips on starting out and can help a parent to understand the various options and terms.

Begin your plan with determining the purpose for homeschooling. Putting this goal in writing will help you to see what direction you want to take and help you to narrow choices to reach that goal. Keep in mind though that this is a starter goal, you may well find it changing as you go.

Research learning styles so you can match materials that reach your goals to your child's style. Don't stress if you have trouble figuring it out. Sometimes we don't know how a child learns until we begin working with them and experimenting with materials.

Check out curriculum options, even those that may not seem like a good match. This sometimes helps in determining style and method along with farther defining your educational goals. This is where group involvement helps. You can ask around and see if anyone is using the materials that interest you. In my group, we sometimes bring along books to meets for the other parents to peek at. I love this preview option! You can also check the local library.

Create a possible schedule in pencil or in an editable format. You can cement it later when you see how it all works out.

Always keep in mind that a child that is interested in learning and is progressing IS success. Not everything will go as planned but if we have that then we have a sound foundation to work from.

If you have questions, I am only a post away in The Dollar Stretcher Community along with a few other experienced homeschool parents. We are happy to help you to make this experience a good one for your family.