How to Save Money on Homeschool Curriculum (Without Sacrificing Quality)
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Homeschooling is an incredible investment in your child’s education — but the cost of homeschool curriculum, books, and resources can add up quickly. The good news? You can give your kids a high-quality education without draining your bank account. This is my ultimate guide to how to save money on homeschool curriculum, plus a bonus mega list of free educational websites you’ll want to bookmark.
Over the years, I’ve learned that with a little creativity and some insider tips, you can save hundreds (even thousands!) while still using excellent materials.
How to Save Money on Homeschool Curriculum:
1. Join Group-Buy & Discount Clubs
Group-buys allow homeschool families to purchase curriculum together, lowering prices for everyone.
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Homeschool Buyers Club – Free membership with group-buy discounts on curriculum, online programs, and educational kits.
Savings potential: 20–80% off retail prices.
2. Buy from Discount Curriculum Retailers
While not group-buy sites, some retailers consistently offer lower prices, bundle deals, and clearance markdowns:
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Christian Book Distributors – Everyday discounts on curriculum, plus seasonal sales, clearance, and scratch-and-dent bargains.
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Timberdoodle – Curated curriculum kits with built-in bundle savings, plus individual educational games, puzzles, and tools. They also offer clearance items and a rewards program.
3. Buy Used Curriculum
Check for gently used books and materials at:
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Facebook Marketplace
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Local homeschool Facebook groups
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Used bookstores and thrift shops
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Curriculum fairs and consignment sales
- Shop Ebay for used supplies
Tip: Verify ISBNs and editions so they match your plans.
4. Swap with Other Homeschool Families
Organize a “curriculum swap day” with your co-op or local homeschool group. Everyone brings what they’re done with and trades for something new-to-them.
Cost: Free!
5. Shop Seasonal Sales & Clearance
Watch for:
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Back-to-school sales (July–September)
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Year-end publisher clearance (December–January)
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Black Friday/Cyber Monday
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Discounts at homeschool conventions
- Book sales on Amazon– Audible has great deals on classic books & Kindle Unlimited for ebooks!
6. Use Free Curriculum Providers
Some organizations offer complete curriculum or major subject areas for free:
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The Good and the Beautiful – Free PDFs for language arts and more.
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Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool – Full K–12 curriculum online.
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Ambleside Online – Charlotte Mason–style book lists & schedules.
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Khan Academy – Math, science, humanities, and more.
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CK-12 Foundation – STEM-focused digital textbooks.
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Well-Educated Heart – Literature-rich history & language arts.
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Old Fashioned Education – Traditional curriculum using public domain books.
Want even more?
I’ve compiled a massive list of over 65+ free educational websites organized by subject and grade.
→ See the Mega List of Free Educational Websites for Kids
7. All-in-One Curriculum Money Savers
One of the easiest ways to save big on homeschool costs is to use an all-in-one program that covers every subject and grade level in a single subscription. These can be a huge money-saver—especially for families with multiple children—because you don’t have to buy separate math, reading, science, and history for each grade.
Paid (But Still Very Budget-Friendly)
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SchoolhouseTeachers.com – One membership gives you access to lesson plans, printables, and courses for every grade and subject. One flat annual or monthly fee covers your whole family.
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Time4Learning – Affordable monthly online curriculum that includes all subjects for preschool through high school.
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Power Homeschool – Low monthly fee per student for self-paced, video-based lessons.
Why they save money:
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One-stop shopping – No need to buy separate curriculum for each subject.
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Multi-grade access – Perfect for teaching multiple children with one program.
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Minimal extra costs – Many include teacher materials, assessments, and answer keys in the subscription.
8. Take Advantage of Free Trials
Before investing, try the program for free.
Examples:
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Reading Eggs – Literacy for young learners.
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Adventure Academy – Online learning for grades 3–8.
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Outschool – Live online classes (look for promo codes).
9. Use Your Library
Your local library card can save you a fortune:
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Borrow living books for literature, history, and science.
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Access e-books, audiobooks, and research databases.
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Many libraries offer free museum passes, art kits, or language learning subscriptions like Mango Languages.
10. Explore Open Educational Resources (OER)
OERs are free, high-quality teaching materials you can use and adapt:
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PBS LearningMedia – Lesson plans & videos.
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NASA Education – Space & STEM resources.
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National Park Service Education – Virtual field trips and history lessons.
11. Download Free Printables
You can replace or supplement curriculum with free or low-cost printables:
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Teachers Pay Teachers – Filter for “Free.”
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Etsy – Search “free homeschool printables.”
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Freebie sections on homeschool blogs, like mine! I have hundreds of free printables! Print out pages from free sites to make your own workbooks.
12. Attend Homeschool Conventions
In-person events let you preview curriculum and often offer event-only discounts.
13. Use Cashback & Rewards Programs
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Rakuten – Earn cashback when shopping online.
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Honey has cash back and savings deals when you shop through them.
14. Choose Digital Curriculum
Digital versions are often cheaper and instantly available — plus, no shipping fees.
15. Use Multi-Child or Family Licenses
Look for programs that allow unlimited student use under one subscription.
16. Buy Off-Season
Pick up next year’s materials during January clearance or grab science kits in September when summer stock is marked down.
17. Incorporate Low-Cost Enrichment
Not everything has to be a formal curriculum:
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Community classes and workshops
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YouTube educational channels
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Free museum days
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Nature center programs
18. Share Subscriptions
Split the cost of an online program with another family if the terms of service allow.
19. Build Your Own Curriculum
Combine free resources, library books, open educational resources, and targeted purchases for a custom, budget-friendly year.
Saving money on homeschool curriculum doesn’t mean sacrificing quality — it’s about being resourceful, strategic, and open to mixing free, used, and discounted options. Start with one or two strategies from this list and build from there.
And don’t forget — if you want to explore even more free learning tools, head to my Mega List of Free Educational Websites for Kids to fill your homeschool year with rich, engaging resources at no cost.
Happy saving — and happy homeschooling!
