Homeschooling: How to Save Money on Next Year's Curriculum

It's hard to believe we are in the month of April!  Like many homeschooling families, we are trying to get a handle on getting things wrapped up by the end of May.  We have had some unexpected things happen this month, and unfortunately, I haven't been able to coach The Youngest as much as I would have liked.  And now that it is halfway through the month, I feel the added stress of deciding what to do for next year, along with knowing how much money to spend.

We haven't been homeschooling for too long, but I have learned that April appears to be the month for curriculum planning. To try to stay ahead of the game, I designated a day last week to get my plan in gear, mostly to take advantage of sales and auctions.  

Here are some ways that may help you as you do your curriculum planning:  

1.  Look for sales from the major companies. For instance, this month Alpha Omega has a 20% off sale until April 30th. Order direct from their website or purchase through Christianbook.com where you may be able to qualify for free shipping. (And they accept Paypal, which is helpful!)

2.  Look for textbooks on eBay.  Many homeschool textbooks are beginning to appear on eBay.  Now would be the time to get in on auctions for needed items before it gets crazy!  I was able to get our Saxon math set for half the price of retail through a Buy It Now option.  Last year I didn't start looking until June, just to lose many auctions and pay too much for a book that we planned to use.  

3.  Look for offers through group buys.  The best place to look into for specials on curriculum is at Homeschool Buyers Co-op.  They also offer Smart Points, which are redeemable towards other subscriptions, etc. for your homeschool. 

4.  Don't forget to check Amazon. If you cannot find your choices through the main store, keep checking since more and more items are showing up through the participating booksellers. 

How do you save money on your homeschool curriculum?  Share in the comments below!