How Much do you Spend? - Page 2

[libranbutterfly]

Thanks for all the replies. I have been doing alit of reading and feel very confident. I can not get reliable internet at my house, so I am waiting now to get my van and get my laptop screen fixed. I have started providing in home childcare which is taking alot of stress off financially. Younger Ds is getting more adjusted to school, so now we may wait until next school year.

[libranbutterfly]

Got a van, that is one more step done :) also may be getting more kids for in home care soon.

[zebra15]

In 2 months my spending just changed.

I joined edhelper.com  for $20/year

I purchased Rosetta Stone for $475.00 (levels 1-5 homeschool edition French)

We are joining the Science Center before the end of the Year $80.00 (membership for 2, homeschool discount and planetarium add on)

I need to purchase the Entertainment book for the next major city over (since we seem to be going there 1x a month)  $30

*I am doing all this now because I am really trying to make 2012 a 'no spend' year.

So while it seems like a lot of spending, this should get us through 2012.  The French is a scheduled class for the next 18 mos or so.  The science center is something I need to have, the pass is go at many other places as well.  The entertainment book will pay for itself in a matter of week.  Edhelper.com has already proven invaluable.

Ya I still unschool in many ways but with DS getting older and much more advanced I feel like I need some way to quantify his work.  Edhelper.com is able to provide those quick worksheets and quizzes about books for me.

[Satori]

Cost is going to depend on how much time and effort you want to put in. I've spent the entire $1,600 the charter school gives us per year and could easily use another $1k. Why do we spend so much? Because for my child what works best for us is online stuff that allows her to work independently like bravewriter, supercharged science, brainpop, time4learning, and teaching textbooks (CD's but $$) and IRL art classes. For a kid like my daughter it wouldn't work cheaper for us with how she learns best but for a kid who's happy to do book/seat work all day? yes it can be done very cheaply. Have you considered a virtual charter school? K12.com is free, public education that is good for auditory learners. Perhaps a local or online charter would be a good choice for you.