Frugal Homeschool
- Ashley Qurollo
- Jul 14
- 5 min read
July 14, 2025
A recent trip to a local education store prompted my thinking about why I shop the way that I do for our homeschool resources, and a rather silly episode honed my thinking and even beliefs in frugality and ultimately, the freedom of homeschooling choice…
After asking the clerk sitting behind the counter which books were on sale, I perused the tables and shelves loaded with gently damaged books. Not really needing anything for this year, I considered buying a few items to supplement this year and prepare for the next. I looked and looked for price tags but couldn’t find any—no price stickers and no signs (that always sends warning bells off in my head when I’m shopping). I thought, “Well, it’s a 50% off sale. It can’t be that bad.”
I took my 3 paperback readers and set them on the counter. The smiling clerk started ringing up my books which quickly totaled $87. I stood aghast.
Very politely, I said, “Is that the sale price?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I knew in that instant that I couldn’t justify spending our hard-earned family resources on something that we really didn’t need and that I could times-over source both in quality and quantity elsewhere. Bracing myself for impact, I made my choice.
“Ok, I think I will pass then.”
“Excuse me?” the clerk said with an incredulous expression on her face.
Very sweetly, I said, “Thank you, but I will pass on buying those books today.” The clerk gave me a less-than-polite look and stood mouth agape while I quickly and quietly packed my things and left the store-bell ringing behind me.
In years past, I would have caved and spent that $87 just to save face. I also would have been angry and distraught by the lack of customer service, but I’ve changed. I’ve grown in confidence, and by God’s grace, I have grown in not giving in to others.
On my drive home, God quieted my heart and reminded me of the blessed freedom I have in schooling my children how my husband and I see fit. I rejoiced in that freedom, and country life seemed that much dearer to me as I pulled in the drive and gazed on my sunflowers and chickens with renewed gratitude.
Friends, it doesn’t take a second income just to buy homeschool textbooks and nor should it. It doesn’t require that you blow your savings account just to educate your children. With some resourcefulness and grit, you can provide your children with a rich and wonderful education with relatively simple resources.
Here’s how I keep our homeschool costs down.
Find discount homeschool stores near you.
--Learning Cycle—this is an amazing consignment-type shop. I currently have some items consigned here that I hope to recoup some money from unused curriculum.
--Lifelong Learning Resources—this no-frills warehouse/store offers a wide array of Christian homeschooling resources. If you shop in person (address 557 Hammett Store Rd, Lyman, SC 29365), you will receive a discount off your entire purchase! They also happily ship books. I just love this store.
Use curriculum written by other homeschooling parents.
I’ve found that some of my favorite homeschool curriculum was written by other homeschool parents who have “been there, done that” and know what works in the homeschool setting. I have a hunch that these parents also know the financial challenges that homeschool families face, and so they try to keep costs reasonable.
Don’t turn down hand-me downs.
It took me a little while to swallow my pride and accept some curriculum that I would not have chosen for myself. But I’ve finally learned that a good teacher can use just about any curriculum to get the point across.
Shop regular thrift stores.
We live in upstate SC which has a strong Christian community and also a strong homeschooling community. Because of those communities, I am often able to find good quality, Christian textbooks right at our local thrift stores. I have been disappointed in the last year or so because I believe many thrift stores are trying to sell books online to make more money. The bookshelves are quite sparse these days, and my heart is so very sad about this.
If you have a favorite publisher, find out when they are having sales.
Abeka has a 20% off sale usually around March.
The Well-Trained Mind Press has sales all throughout the year.
Shop 2nd-hand online bookstores.
My two favorites are Thriftbooks and Abebooks.
Buy homeschool resources from other homeschool mamas.
If a friend has a child a grade above one of your children, that can be a real win-win situation!
Go to the library.
You can absolutely create a curriculum based on library books for FREE. It takes a lot of work, but it's doable. I would highly recommend purchasing some books about books to guide your sourcing: Read for the Heart, Books Children Love, Honey for a Child's Heart, etc.
Make up your own curriculum.
I do not often make my own curriculum, but I have chosen to make up my own assignments for both handwriting and writing (composition). I feel confident in teaching both subjects (for now) and have not seen a need to purchase curriculum for something I can teach on my own.
Save curriculum for other children in the family.
I’ve tried to pick curriculum that I can embrace and use for all the children in my family. When this happens, it’s a glorious thing because more often than not, I can use at least some part of the curriculum again. Obviously, I buy new, unused workbooks/texts for each child, but usually I can reuse Teachers Editions, student books, etc.
To my friends who love the “school in a box” approach, please take everything that I say with a grain of salt. I realize that not everyone has the time, energy, or even interest to curate a personalized curriculum. Your sanity may be worth every penny spent on new, already-organized curriculum! There’s no shame in clicking the purchase button and buying all your curriculum in one fell swoop. You won’t have to shop all over town, stuff books around your house at all times of the year, and then remember where in the world you put that book…
For those of us that need to (or just plain want to!) curate an inexpensive curriculum, it’s totally doable! I hope you feel encouraged and empowered to purchase curriculum that works for you and your family without feeling unnecessary pressure from anyone else.
I hope you are encouraged in whatever path you choose for your family. No matter what curriculum you use, I hope that you will love learning alongside of your children.
-Ashley
Personal Disclosure
As the author of Ashley Qurollo Blog, all opinions are my own. Any possible applications are universal in nature, not directed at any one individual or people group. My sincere desire is to help others by sharing what I am learning. Nothing stated on this blog is ever intended to hurt others. Ashley Qurollo, owner of Ashley Qurollo Blog and Website, is not held liable in any way for any application of the ideas and thoughts stated here.
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Ashley, thanks for sharing these great ideas! I have spent SO much money on books in the past that I regretted. This post gives some clarity to purchasing power...