Homeschooling on a budget question........

[Joanne]

Remember my American History question from earlier this week?

Well, I went to the homeschool store and got (used, with trade in credit) Beautiful Feet's Early American History, A Literature Approach for Primary and Early American and World History for Junior High.

Each come with a need book list. BF, of course, has discounted bundles - still very spendy. Only one "hit" on Vegsource. Ebay has some, still spendy.

I tried the Homeschool Store and a used bookstore. Nothing.

Up front cost for bundles are spendy. But the stretched out cost of shipping over the course of time is likely (I think, I could be wrong) to be much more.

So, my question is when you are going to use a curriculum involving a list of books (and I'll need 2 copies of the JR. High list if not the primary), how do you fill that in the most budget friendly way?

[GVA]

I use Sonlight, so I am always needing books, books, and more books.

Thankfully I find about 2/3 of them in local libraries (I have access to two county systems and a college library) or borrowed from friends.

The others I buy used. I keep a list and watch...

[kdeno]

Are there any libraries near you that have book sales or good thrift stores?

Kari

[Chris in VA]

You can go with Paperback bookswap--at least the first 3 or 4 are free.
I also make extensive use of the library--and perhaps you could let dc use the same book, but assign reading time. If one has from 9-12 to read it, and the other from 12-3 (or whatever), could you just use one copy?

[Carol in Cal.]

They have a great selection of used books, and you can set up a 'watch' for the ones you want. They email you when they get those books in stock.

And, they are an independent book store, not a chain; so you can feel good about supporting a local business at the same time!

[Virginia Dawn]

Most of the books from Beautiful Feet's Early American History are in the library, except for maybe the Genevieve Foster ones. Those I would purchase anyway. Everything else I would go library or substitute.

[Joanne]

You can go with Paperback bookswap--at least the first 3 or 4 are free.
I also make extensive use of the library--and perhaps you could let dc use the same book, but assign reading time. If one has from 9-12 to read it, and the other from 12-3 (or whatever), could you just use one copy?__________________

That's "doable" but 2 of my students don't live with me. ;)



Are there any libraries near you that have book sales or good thrift stores?

Yes, but the chances of these books being included are slim. I do, however, use them extensively for my other books.

Powell's is your friend.

Powell's? Link?

[Stirsmommy]

Joanne,
Are you still in the Katy area? Katy Budget Books can order for you or I bet they may even have most of what you need. It has been to long since I have been but they do have a major sale twice a year. Also see if they will hold books fro you as they come in to the store.
Melissa

[Natalieclare]

This store is small, but stuffed with books. I never see what I want online, so I usually give them a call; they are great about searching the stacks for me.

Even though I only live 45 minutes away, I often have them mail me my order. I figure with the price of gas and the latte I'd inevitably get, I'm probably saving money!

One of the employees can come across a bit gruff, but she is actually pretty helpful.


Another option is to search http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page.

When we first started homeschooling, it seemed relatively inexpensive; now, not so much!:o



http://www.hspbooks.com/

[Denise in IN]

I use the library a great deal, but when I need to buy books, the first place I go is Half.com (http://www.half.ebay.com/). They have many, many books at very low prices. And the best thing is, if you buy multiple books from the same seller, there is a reduced shipping cost.