Save or Splurge

Jul 27, 20245 min read

Homeschooling can get expensive! And while you may be tempted to save a bit on lower quality items for your homeschool, there may be a few things that are worth spending a little more on for better quality that is going to last much longer. In fact, they might actually save you money in the long run!

In this post, I'm going to share with you what I believe are the best items to splurge on and the items that it's okay to save a buck. There will be a list at the end of the post that has the links to all my recommended items (it does contain affiliate links... they cost you nothing and provide a few cents to me to help support me being able to bring you this content!) So let's dive in!

Printer = Splurge!

This is my number one item for spending more up front is going to save you a ton in the long run. Biting the bullet and going with a more expensive refillable tank printer is 100% a must do! They are more expensive up front, but the cost savings for ink alone is enough of a reason to do it. And since they are more popular than ever, the are becoming less of a splurge. You can find them at Costco and Sams Club and even great deals online.

We have the Epson Eco Tank ET - 2760. They no longer make this exact model, but an ET-2000 is going to be similar. We spent around $260 dollars on our printer about 4 years ago. I have put $50 of ink in the printer 3 times in those 4 years. And we do A LOT of printing. I prefer to buy PDF curriculum and print it out. And I print for fellow homeschoolers and our co-op. Can you imagine what I would have spent in ink cartridges?!

Curriculum = Save!

I don't mean buy lower quality curriculum, I mean find quality curriculum affordably. My favorite tactics are buying curriculum I can use with multiple children or PDF curriculum that I can print and bind at home. Another great way to save on curriculum is by purchasing used curriculum. Or even better use FREE curriculum. There is more and more quality free curriculum every day now that homeschooling is picking up popularity. Putting in a little effort in finding deals on curriculum is worth the money you can save.

Binding Machine = Splurge!

This is another purchase we made for our homeschool that has paid for itself many times over. Before we purchased it, I was spending about $5 per book for binding at my local office supply store. While that is not terrible, I do try to save on curriculum by buying PDF when possible. So that was beginning to add up! Being able to bind everything myself is a real cost saver and actually a time saver as well. I'm no longer having to make 2 trips to the office supply store each time I want something bound.

Paper = Splurge!

For me, paper quality is important. I like using 24lb paper over the standard 20lb. Especially for PDF curriculum I'm printing at home. I prefer it for several reasons. First, you can print double sided and save paper without it showing through as easily. Second, kids make mistakes, and they use those erasers aggressively!! Using a high-quality paper is going to tear was less easily. And finally, it just feels so nice. LOL.

Pencil Sharpener = Splurge!

Bite the bullet and buy a quality electric pencil sharpen for your homeschool space. They do a much better job at sharpening and are quick and easy to use and clean. The prevent a huge mess and make your pencils last longer. Buy one on Prime Day and thank me later.

Manipulatives = Save!

Many curriculums these days encourage you to purchase a set of manipulatives. Especially math curriculums. If it's not 100% necessary or unique to that curriculum, it may be worth it to skip the purchase and use things you have around the house. Instead of buying 100 plastic counters, consider using pennies. Instead of those fancy wooden tangrams, consider printing and laminating some or finding a cheap set online. Instead of fancy flash cards, make your own. Having your children help make them can actually be a really fun learning experience.

Science Lab Equipment = Save!

Let's be honest. You probably have most of what you need for science experiments already in your kitchen. So why spend the money and have to find the space to store specialized science equipment. Using cheap clear disposable cups is not only cheaper, but safer if you are working with younger kids. A kitchen scale is going to work good enough. Buy the cheap plastic disposable pipets online.

The only exception to this is a Microscope. Use your science equipment budget on buying a good quality microscope. It truly makes a difference in ease of use and quality of image. You and your students will use it more if it is fun and easy to use. So buy a good microscope and skip the rest of the lab equipment.

Reference Books = Splurge!

We absolutely love having resource books on hand. I'm not joking when I say my kiddos will read them for fun! So for that reason, I like to purchase quality reference books to keep in our home library. You will use them all of the time.

Other Books = Save!

The public library should be a homeschoolers best friend! Why buy a book you are going to use only for a few weeks and then have it sit on a shelf from then on. Just borrow them from the library. If you need it for more than a few weeks, consider buying it used. Thriftbooks is a wonderful resource that also gives teacher benefits to homeschoolers!

Notebooks = Save!

For the most part, notebooks are a save around here. I love to go to Target and office supply stores after "back to school" season is over. I've literally gotten notebooks for 10 cents before! And even cheap notebooks are usually decent enough quality to last a year. (Although I do not recommend notebooks for the dollar store. They just don't hold up).

The only exception I make here is for interactive notebooks you plan to use for an entire year or more. For instance, have an ongoing interactive notebook for history that we use for multiple years. So buying a nice notebook is worth the investment. We love __________ for interactive note booking.

Office Supplies

You may be tempted to just buy the cheapest version of office supplies to save some dough. But you can actually end up wasting your money buy things that don't last. In the chart below I share where I choose to save and where it's better to splurge.

Item	Save or Splurge	Reason	Brands to Buy
Pens	Splurge	Quality pens will last longer, getting the erasable ones are great for kids	Frixton
Pencils	Splurge	Tips break less when writing and sharpening	Tichondaroga
Markers	Splurge	They will last longer and work better and give you nicer results on projects	Crayola
Dry Erase Markers	Splurge	They will last longer	Expo
Glue	Splurge	Get the one that goes on purple and dries clear. Good quality glue last longer and holds better	Elmer's
Tape	Save	Kids use a lot of tape! Save your sanity. Buy cheap	Whatever is cheapest. Have a variety is helpful (scotch, painters, scootch, and washi)
Scissors	Save	They disappear like socks! Buy a nice pair or two for mom and the cheap bulk ones for the kids
Sticky Notes	Save	These jokers are expensive and your kids are just going to waste them. Buy the cheap ones!
Binders	Splurge	Quality is very important here. Cheap ones simply fall apart. It's worth the few extra bucks to buy the good ones.	Avery