Attend a Homeschool Convention

Homeschoolers are known for being tight frugal.  Like you, I like free and inexpensive curriculum too.  Another facet though of being frugal is to avoid waste.  It can be a challenge to avoid waste especially with homeschool curriculum purchases.  But did you know that it can be easier to do that when you do purchase curriculum at a homeschool convention?

If you are still on the fence about going to Great Homeschool Conventions, check out these ways to save you money while you purchase your curriculum at the homeschool convention.

This is a sponsored post and I am proud to be partnering with Great Homeschool Conventions this year because I LOVE their convention philosophy.  I love Kelley in this picture.  It seems she is always posing and I am always picture taking. Love it.

• 1.) Avoid shipping cost and returns.  More than likely by taking time to examine what you are buying, the chances of returning it are pretty slim.  Avoiding shipping costs already saves you some pocket change.

• 2.) Asking a publisher questions is equal to a mini private curriculum review.  Do you know that most curriculum providers love to talk about their products?  Not only do they love to talk about it, but they love to give you suggestions on how to use it and on things to avoid.  If the author is not in the booth, sometimes they hire some experienced homeschool families to work the booth who use their products.  They are normally chock-full of practical tips on utilizing the product.

How does this save you money? You avoid buying, returning, wasting time and trying out something else.  Personal 1:1 service is not something a mail order only curriculum company can tout.  Taking your time to look over your choice with curriculum in hand saves you stress and time.  What price do you put on your time, not being overwhelmed, and having what you need for the next school year?  Everybody prices or values their time differently.  It still costs you something.

• 3.) Convention Specials.  Most curriculum providers have some kind of convention special.  Whether it’s a 2-fer or a discount, it is still a savings passed on to you because you are there.  Convention specials are one of my favorite things to ask about because I love free things.  True, sometimes it may be something free as small as a pencil or it could be as nice as free books if you buy x number of books which I have gotten before.  I also bought my science kits one year there because I knew they were going to be discounted and I didn’t want them shipped.  I would rather handle them with care as I make the trip back home.

• 4.) Product Workshops vs. Information Workshops.  Earlier in my post Curriculum & Homeschool Conventions –Cures for Cabin Fever I shared about the differences between the types of workshops at a convention.

Attending a product workshop for a product that you’re interested in not only educates you about a particular curriculum, but it really nudges you ahead of the learning curve when it comes to a subject.

As homeschoolers we have gifted children and children with special needs and finding a better fit is done easier at a homeschool convention product workshop where you have the experts to ask about their products.

Asking a vendor questions about your child is like having your own unique curriculum consultant.  Consultant services are not free in the homeschool world, but at a convention you have an expert at your fingertips.

• 5.) Avoid over buying.  Though I joke a lot about my many purchases at a convention, the truth of it is I buy exactly what I want or need and no more.  Over buying to one person does not look the same to the next homeschooler.  For example, one year I might have a more lavish homeschool budget than I did the year before.  That would be the time to purchase those extra books for the next grade level.  This is a much better fit for a budget instead of buying sight unseen.

• 6.) Price Comparison is accurate.  Pricing comparison is much more accurate at a convention.  For example, one science program may not include readers whereas another science program may include them.  Putting your hands on and seeing what you’re getting makes price comparison much more accurate and again you get a better value.

If you need to stick to a budget, you will be glad that you go to one of the homeschool conventions.

I also have some free forms to help you when you are at the homeschool convention so that you are sure to cover all the bases with your curriculum and to help you stay in your budget.

Look at this first one below that I use when doing curriculum counseling for homeschoolers.  I want you to have it so that you avoid some of the same mistakes in over buying.

At the top of the form, the first step is to be sure you know what the laws of your state or country are so that you meet them when making your purchases.  Then, I added in my definition of curriculum to help remind you to not just purchase books, but other things if your budget allows it.

Add your children’s names at the top, and then check off as you make your purchases at the convention. Those parts are pretty self-explanatory.

But there is one fine point on the form that I want you to be aware of and that is where I have added the hot pink line.  In my many years of curriculum counseling, I have had to help homeschoolers shave their budgets.  Everyone is different about what is important to them, but one thing that is the same among any well educated child and that is they all have to have the 3 R’s.

If a child doesn’t study art or music, for example, right away, his reading ability will not be hampered for life.  However, if he does not read and write well, he might be handicapped for life.  So when having an extremely tight budget, pay attention to purchasing curriculum that is above the hot pink line first.  Subjects below the line though important can be purchased later or you can use the library to help you supplement them or fill in.

Tip:  Here is one example to try to help you purchase wisely.  If you purchase a history reader, it can serve both as fulfilling your reading and history.  So think about fulfilling two or more subjects when purchasing.

Download here. 2014 Curriculum Planning Sheet – Add requirements

Look at my other 3 forms in my posts that I have previously shared with you to help you make your purchases.

1.

Choosing a History Curriculum Cheat Sheet

How To Shop For History Curriculum at a Homeschool Convention + Printable Cheat Sheet

2.

Master the Subjects Form When Homeschooling Multiple Children

5 Days Of The Benefits & Challenges of Teaching Mixed Ages Together – Day 4: Embrace Homeschooling Multiple Grades

3.

Teacher’s Manual Checklist

{How To Series} How to Determine if a Teacher’s Manual is Treasure or Trash? + {printable checklist}

Remember to register with Great Homeschool Conventions!

Click on the graphic above to register.

One more noteworthy detail and that is the official Great Homeschool Conventions blogger meet-ups are being planned for conventions.  Be sure to follow Great Homeschool Conventions to find out the exact details.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Did you make any purchases over the weekend at the Greenville, SC convention?  Do you feel more armed to buy at the great homeschool conventions?

Hugs and love ya,