What is your homeschool budget?

[RainandRedemption]

Ds will be 6 and in first grade this year. We'll spend about $400 on curriculum. Maybe $150 on other random supplies. Membership to hslda, undecided, depends on which membership option we buy this year.

Other costs such as activities are not really budgeted for.

[babysniffles]

This made me kind of curious, because I haven't sat down and added it all up yet.

Let's see:

Homeschool PE, two kids, 8 months:$192
Swim lessons, two kids, two sessons: $120
Piano lessons, one kid:$40 a month, $480 per year (probably less though)
Trips: ? Maybe $500
Curriculum and other books: About $400
Other supplies: $100

That's about $1800. I had only counted the actual curriculum costs, because my kids would be in extracurriculars regardless of homeschool/public school, so I'm a little surprised how much I am spending to educate my kids. But it is still less than half the tuition of one kindergartner at the local private school, so I guess I am doing good.

[Amandamama]

I don't really have one. We don't buy curriculum & mostly unschool all three kids (12,10,4). We spend money on all sorts of " educational" stuff. When they were younger it was wooden blocks, balls, puzzles, Thomas, dress up dolls, etc.
Now it's computers, iPod, audio books, books, board games like Settlers of Catan, ink for printer, co op fees, lots of craft supplies & kits, gas money to drive them to events & play dates, museum trips, beach days, sports equipment, conferences, historical re-enacting, hiking & camping trips...

[RainandRedemption]

Just thought to throw this out there in case anyone here is HSing and doesn't know this.... but all HSing expenses are tax deductible. Down to the gas you spend to drive your kids to their co-ops and classes

[lyn1270]

we spend the following....
$750/yr for 2 kids to attend Classical Conversations
$300-$350 for Math/Phonics/Rdg Curriculum and supplies

and then whatever field trips/extras, which actually come out of our Fun $$ Budget

I think that this budget will go up as they get older and their needs change. and it will go up once I add DS3 to the budget O.o

[Kristi26]

Originally Posted by RainandRedemption Just thought to throw this out there in case anyone here is HSing and doesn't know this.... but all HSing expenses are tax deductible. Down to the gas you spend to drive your kids to their co-ops and classes

Wait. So I should send receipts for all of our homeschool supplies with DH to our tax appt this year then? Who knew?! Thanks for the info!

[BinahYeteirah]

Originally Posted by RainandRedemption Just thought to throw this out there in case anyone here is HSing and doesn't know this.... but all HSing expenses are tax deductible. Down to the gas you spend to drive your kids to their co-ops and classes

Have things changed? AFAIK, there is no federal deduction for homeschool expenses. I have read a few states do have homeschool deductions, but I don't think mine does.

[prairiewindmomma]

Our state does not allow you to deduct homeschooling expenses...

$800, because that's what we have. I have a 6th grader, a 2nd grader and a K'er. It gets much more expensive once you hit the jr. high years in terms of textbooks, etc. unless you go the used textbook route.

[RainandRedemption]

Am I giving bad information??! I hope not, if so Im so sorry.... but yea I thought ALL hsing expenses were tax deductable on federal taxes??? Going to look it up...

[RainandRedemption]

Holy crap that's NOT true. idk why I thought it was kinda outraged that it's not....

Dang. Sorry!!