Surviving on a single income is made easier when you know what expenses you need to plan ahead for. Here are some heads of expenses that most families are likely to face. You can add or deduct ones that your own homeschool family is likely to have.
Curriculum and Books
For each academic session you will need to pick up new books for each grade. This cost can be shared if you get reference books that can be reused for younger children. However fresh workbooks and study material will be required for each child. Subscriptions to resource materials such as physical magazines or digital websites should also be factored into this head.
Extra Classes and Activities
The homeschool students are likely to have sports, music, art and craft classes which are not conducted by the homeschool parent. The fees and equipment expenses need to be added to the budget as a regular head of expense. Swimming, ballet, guitar, tennis, and all such classes will be included under this head. You may also need to factor in field trip expenses for trips to museums, zoos and the like under this heading as well.
Utility Bills and Car Petrol
Factor in the water, electricity and other utility bills that will see a rise if you are at home all day. For non homeschooling families the utilities will be less expensive as everyone spends a chunk of time outside the house. Teaching the homeschool students to be judicious with using utilities is a good way to cut costs. Also the car running is likely to be more with a homeschooling family in terms of field trips and other errand running activities. Cater for the extra petrol that will be needed for these activities.
Consumables and Groceries
While a major reoccurring expense is likely to be shopping for food to feed the family, there will other expenses such as clothing that will need to be met. Children have a tendency to shoot up suddenly and shopping for extra clothes may not always be factored into the budget. Keep a little extra padding of money available for such unexpected and sudden expenses.
