Frugality and Some Fun

Frugality. What a great word! I feel like I have been drawn to write about this topic because it seems to  creep into conversations at every turn. Economically frugality is good; environmentally frugality is good, religiously frugality is good and the list goes on and on. Today though I want to focus on the frugality of homeschooling. I can not tell you how many times I have heard someone say to me "Oh yes, I would home school if I could afford it". While it is true that I am blessed and exceedingly grateful there is a bit of assumption made in that comment. The assumption is that in order to home school one must have a spouse who brings in XXX amount. This is so sad, I wonder how many people have decided not to home school because they didn't think they could afford it! There are tons of ways to save and I want to share some of them with you today.
So my first tip is in regards to books, curricular and supplemental. When buying curriculum's decide on what you want or think you want. If possible borrow or look at the curriculum's, either via other homeschoolers or curriculum fairs. After you have decided, see if one of those homeschoolers is willing to sell you (at a discounted price of course) their old curriculum. Also, and this is my favorite buy new in package curriculum through online sites like eBay or Amazon.In the 4 almost 5 years I have been homeschooling I can not think of even once when I paid full price.
Tip number two visit your local dollar store. The one in my area has a school supply section with lots of things you will love including bins to store supplies, educational posters, flash cards, and reward stickers/ certificates. Let's be honest about something, you don't need fancy construction paper or glue for the 300 crafts your child will make each year- that just get tossed out!
Tip number three is you don't need school desks or a "classroom" to home school. Even though the kids do have desk spaces lots of times we school at the kitchen table or even on lap desks that I picked up at my local craft store for just $10.00 each. If  $10.00 is still too much you can get clip boards at the dollar store :) If you want it you can do it!
Tip number four is go to your local library, books are free( as long as you return them on time- oops!) We have found lots of great books on topics we were studying or just books for pleasure. Most libraries offer computer services so if you do not have a computer you can look things up there and even print!
Tip number five is hook up with a local home school group or at least join their homepage so that you can see events that are free in your area, find out about home school field trips which are super cheap!, and also find out when their book sales are.
I also want to make a small disclaimer, I drive cars that are between 15 and 17 years old, I don't do a lot of shopping for extras, and we only do things we can really afford. That said, I want you to know that cars don't matter to me, I dislike shopping, and I dislike "extras" aka clutter! You may have to decide what does and does not matter in order to make it happen but I promise you that I have never felt I have lacked or given up anything. In fact I have been given a great gift, time with my children, something I could never replace or put a monetary value on.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." --Albert Einstein


 So for the Frugal Photos........

Dollar store find

Posters and baskets from the dollar store

Lap desks from the craft store

Chapter books from Targets dollar section! (Ages 7+ about 170 pages each) 

Library find. The book that made writing enjoyable for all of my kids- even the kindergartner

So the title was frugal and some fun well,  this is the fun- homegrown popcorn

It was delicious!

More fun! The hubs working on a project with the kids

The results of that project - Table air hockey!



Gardening tip! Grow things you don't like, or you thought you didn't like! You probably think this wasn't  really a tip but it's one of the most important. There are  plenty of things I am sure my kids would not eat  (or my husband for that matter) if we didn't grow it. I am pretty sure my kids would not have liked brussels sprouts as much had we not grown them , or peas, etc. You may change your mind if you do................


Recipe: Chickpea Salad


Chickpea salad

- 1 large can of chickpeas- drained, the juice of 1-2 lemons ( I like 2) , 2 cloves crushed garlic, a sprinkle of  dried rosemary, fresh dill- about 1 tablespoon (more if you like) , 1 small carrot diced, 1 Tablespoon of celery sliced as thinly as possible, 2 Tablespoons finely diced red onion, 1 Tablespoon red pepper, 2-3 Tablespoons dried mixed berries or cherries, 2 tablespoons Olive oil, salt , pepper, and garlic powder to taste. ( these are all just estimates though- if you like more add more For best results this needs to sit overnight if not 2 nights and if possible stir a little each day to make sure the juices on the bottom get redistributed.



P.S. After looking back at old blog posts it has come to my attention that when I blog at 1:00 a.m.  the rules of grammar and spelling fly out the door. So please bear with me!

Anyway hope you enjoy!