During high school when I started working in a law office, I started as a ‘girl Friday’. The attorney’s office kept a storage room full of the most wonderful smelling office supplies. This was back in the time when we still used Mag Card IBM typewriters though our law office was ‘hip’ because we had already bought our first computer.
Because we made several copies of Wills and Deeds using carbon copy paper, it was important to scour for and buy premium paper, pens, paper clips and binders. I think that is where I discovered that I loved everything about organizing and buying office supplies.
Homeschool Must-Have Essentials
That same enthusiasm for supplies spilled over into my homeschool journey. There are some homeschool staples you won’t regret splurging on though some of these items may not seem essential to you now. However, as you school longer, your needs change.
If I had put as much emphasis on collecting some of these in the beginning of my journey as I did curriculum, my journey would have been less stressful.
Homeschooling is a lifestyle change and that means that some things become an absolutely must-have though they can be slightly different because of each family’s needs.
These are some sweet splurges I wished I would have purchased earlier than I did.
One. | Mobile Printer.
Canon Pixma Mobile Printer. I can’t say enough good things about this printer. When we went overseas, this was the printer I took. It is not only mobile, but sturdy and the print quality is excellent.
It is the same one I use for my planner. I used printers in the past that I paid more for because they did double-sided printing.
I found that this compact version was just as excellent and when you’re short on room or need to take it with you, it is an excellent printer.
I just print out my 7 Step Homeschool Planner only like once or twice a year, so it is a great choice for homeschool printing in between printing your planner. I print a lot of copies on it too.
I love it because it doesn’t have to have a permanent ‘home’ and I can move it around the house.
Two. | Rolling Drawer Storage.
10-Drawer Organizer Cart. I talk about organizing my drawers for my organizing cart and using drawers in my post, My School Area.
The best reason a tower of drawers are splurge worthy is to free up precious bookshelf space.
Another reason that is equally important is that each child can have a tower with their books organized. If your children are young, they may all be able to share one tower of drawers. For the littlest homeschool learner, labeling their drawers with their name sneaks a bit of learning into the day too.
Three. | Dry Erase & Magnetic Board.
Dry Erase Magnetic Board – I would have swooned to have this when the kids were little. Some homeschoolers told me I would not use a board like this, but I did.
I learned since then that each homeschool teacher has her own teaching style and learning style. Not only did a dry erase board allow me to put things like word lists on it when I several budding readers, but it was also a place that encouraged my new writers.
There is something about writing on it or the wall that made learning to write a lot more engaging.
Choosing the Right Item for the Task
Four. | Activity table in the early years.
Activity Table Set instead of individual desks. There are some things I did right and one I did was to buy a table and chairs for us to spread out our books on instead of individual desks.
Though I bought a kidney shaped table because I was worried about my toddler pulling up on a corner of a table, the activity table was so much better when the boys were little.
It allowed all of us to sit down together and most importantly, it was height appropriate.
There was no way I was going to teach them writing on our dining room table, it was just too big. Some may consider this a non-essential, but because I homeschool from the beginning, it made all the difference in teaching my sons how to write.
Five. | Bigger desks in the elementary years.
If I had it to do over, I would certainly pick this chalkboard desk and chair like the one below because as your kids get older, they do want their own learning space. It gives them a space to not only organize their belongings, but to keep them separate from their siblings.
Mr. Senior 2013 was more clutter conscience that my other two kids and he wanted a separate learning area sooner than my other boys.
I could see these desks working for older elementary kids to help teach them organization before I moved everybody to the dining room table.
Six. | Safe removable storage.
Safe removable storage. I guess I could have covered cereal boxes with pretty fabric when the kids were little, but they probably wouldn’t have lasted long as they sat on them and pulled on them.
Buying a 3 tier storage unit when the kids were little and I had many different kinds of manipulatives was a sanity-saver. It kept them at the kids height and the baskets could be taken to the floor, but had a place to be returned.
Chic & Functional Options
Seven. | Sturdy art easel.
An art easel is something I wished I have purchased sooner. No, you know I am not the artsy person, but I knew it was valuable to stir my boys’ imagination and instill a love for beautiful things.
At the time, an art easel seemed unimportant compared to a math program, but then again, I failed to see that when starting homeschool from the beginning, I would get several years of fun and learning through one purchase.
Eight. | Education for YOU.
Because I wish that there was a program to help new or struggling homeschoolers when I first started, Kelley and I created the New Bee Homeschooler program.
Educating yourself first before you begin to help your kids will fast forward you with several years worth of experience. You won’t ever regret spending money on your homeschool education.
Nine. | Kid Owned Storage.
Homeschooling little ones flashes quickly by and you are left with kids who want their own storage that is not babyish.
Shelves do just fine, but I fell in love with these relatively inexpensive mini lockers. Not only are they fun, but they come in a variety of hot colors, which I love.
Did I mention, they are so adorable the kids will want them in their own rooms? What a great way to free up storage in the rest of the house.
Ten. | Table or Desk Top Organizer.
Like I mentioned before, I wish I hadn’t fixated just on the needs of my children, but purchased one or two things that made my job easier too.
This desk top organizer is one of them. I would have purchased a table top organizer for my supplies earlier than I did.
I love that I continue my obsession with supplies as I homeschool. What are some things you don’t regret splurging spending one dime on?
Hugs and love ya,
Grab some tips from these other articles.
Get Organized – Rev Up for the New Homeschool Year
Homeschool Organization – Preschool/Kindergarten Free Morning Routine Flip Cards
5 Ingredients Every Well-Organized Homeschool Space Needs
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