Homeschooling (or just playtime at home) on a budget

I always seem to preface my posts about homeschooling, with something like "we are just beginners", because we are. I have much to learn, but I have truly enjoyed all my "research" and my quest for knowledge on the subject thus far.

For the most part, when homeschooling, families are on their own when it comes to the cost. Curriculum, extra-curriculur activities, and school supplies can add up very quickly. Most likely you are like our family who has chosen (and are so grateful that we can) for me to stay home to teach our children. This also means that we are living on one income. Our double income no kids (DINK) life has quickly changed to one income and four kids {gasp}. For this reason, we try to be very resourceful, careful and purposeful with our finances in every area.

Today, I want to give a few tips that I have learned in an attempt to create an environment for learning while not breaking the bank. Below are some ideas that I have found helpful:

LAMINATE, LAMINATE, LAMINATE!

If you have more than one child at home that you will be teaching, lamnating worksheets are a great way to reuse them. Dry erase markers can be used to write on them and then wipe them clean for the next child.

I found a great deal on this laminator and I find myself quite excited when I get to use it. Strange, I know.

SWAP CURRICULUM

If you have other friends or family that are or have homeschooled in the past, you can share curriculum with them as the age ranges vary within families.

FREE ONLINE PRINTABLES AND ACTIVITIES

There are tons of sites and blogs that offer free or inexpensive printables and activities available online. Some of my favorites include:

Starfall

Confessions of a Homeschooler

Mama Jenn

BARGAIN SHOP

Often, I feel like I am on a treasure hunt for resources and items that will help our at home learning experience more fun, more efficient and more productive. I scout out garage sales, dollar stores, thrift shops and online sites for games, books, DVD's and other school supplies. I have scored many items for a fraction of the price.

I bought this never used Dora the Explorer: ABC Game at a local thrift store for next to nothing.

This Leap Frog Bingo is a garage sale find that I paid $2 for.

SWAGBUCKS & AMAZON

There are great deals on Amazon for many things that can be used to teach at home. Many times, they are sold for a fraction of the cost that you'd pay at a retail store. You also know that I am crazy about Swagbucks and that I get a lot of our stuff for free by using my digital dollars to purchase Amazon gift cards.

Our beloved Learning Resources Calendar and Weather Pocket Chart is something I got on Amazon for free by using my Swagbucks. Can't beat that : )

BE CREATIVE

Try to think outside of the box. Isn't it funny that many times at birthday parties the child will be more enthralled with the box or the wrapping paper and bow than the actual gift. The same thing goes with learning at home. There are treasures all over your house that you probably never knew could help your child develop various skills.

• Pots, pans and utensils for musical expression.
• Dry beans, straws, rice and noodles for crafts.
• Plastic containers to scoop and dump small objects for motor skill practice.
• Too many items to name for imaginary play and dress up.

GIFTS

Because we have four small children, you can imagine that due to birthdays and other holidays, toys are not lacking in our home. If family or friends ask about gift ideas, I now suggest fun school and craft supplies and other resources that we use for homeschooling.

I hope this helps!

Ebates: more money earning tips

Honestly, today my house needs some serious attention, so I was going to forego my "Frugal Friday" post in an attempt to find the floor {wink}. Then I received a very timely email (since it is "Frugal Friday") that I had a $40.20 check on the way from using Ebates to shop online. So, I thought I would share this little secret with you.

Actually, it's not really a secret. Thousands of people take advantage of this opportunity, but in case you don't know...I'm telling you.

Ebates is a site that pays you back for shopping online. Since I'm trying to help you save/earn money, I'm obviously not telling you to go spend money to earn money. I'm simply giving you another way that you can earn cash back for doing what you already do.

If there are items that you currently buy online or if you do birthday and/or holiday shopping online, Ebates is a way to do that and earn cash back for your purchases.

There are hundreds of retailers found on the site. Often, there are deals where the stores will give you double cash back. I've earned as much as 20% cash back for purchases.

I won't list stores, but some of the items I have purchased are photo books, shoes, items for homeschooling, books, etc.

It's free to join and you can sign up by clicking here. I hope you will take advantage of this little tip.

(Note: the links in this post are my referral links.)

Wellness Challenge: the H20 factor

Last week, I started a series about a topic that I'm passionate about and that is so important to all of us...wellness. Last week's focus was our motives behind it.

This week, is about the H20 factor: the importance of water. We all know that water is the source of life. People, plants and animals cannot survive without it. In fact, it's a luxury in some parts of the world and the lack of it is detrimental to many communities.

Water is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle and bodily function. It helps eliminate toxins from the body. It aids in preventing dehydration, which can become serious in many cases. It adds life to the skin. Water replenishes the water that is lost through sweating and it is obviously the best thirst quencher. Water is especially necessary if you drink significant amounts of caffiene as caffeine depletes water from the body.

If there is any place to start in this Wellness Challenge, it is making drinking water a priority in your day. For some people, it may be a matter of making it a habit. Some tips for getting your eight or so glasses in are:

Make a chart or a log where you check off the amount of water you drink each day. For the techno "geeks", I'm assuming there might even be an app for that. : )

Fill two quart containers in the morning and drink from them throughout the day until they are empty (or pour them into glasses/bottles to take with you).

Set aside several bottles of water to take with you throughout the day. (I know this is not the most "green" way to do this.)

Set certain times throughout the day at which you will stop and drink a glass of water.

If this is an area in which you need to/want to improve, start today. Baby steps are valuable. Try to get in your eight glasses everyday this week. Happy drinking!

Next week, I will be discussing "feeding the machine": healthy eating habits.

If you already have this water thing down pat, how do you make it a point get your daily water quota?

(Note: The content of this series is intended for informational use only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Everyone is different in their level of health and fitness. It is advised to consult a physician before beginning a fitness or nutritional plan.)

Where's Doodle? {sixth edition}

This is our third daughter… a sweet and very compliant one, who has inherited the nickname "Doodle". She takes daily naps and goes to bed like clockwork. She enjoys most everything from riding in the car to playing with her sisters and even entertains herself for long periods of time. She is such a joy to our family!

Let’s not be mistaken, however. She is full of energy and adventure. As to keep up with her older sisters, she began walking at eight months. We were so proud and she….oh so delighted.

Since then, she has been known to climb the stairs – on the inside and outside of the staircase….GASP! She has also scaled tables, chairs, drawers, the fireplace hearth, desks – you name it. We have found her in the most inconspicuous places. Each Wednesday, I will share a glimpse of them with you in the "Where's Doodle?" segment.

This girl is on the move, which means so are we.

What's your busy toddler doing these days?

...and the greatest of these is LOVE.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13

Times of refreshing

Being a mother can mean long days, late nights (possible all nighters), early mornings and everything in between. A full time job with mandatory overtime. Although, we all know the rewards are immeasurable.

Time to refresh, restore and rejuvenate is imperative for doing this well. As with a lot of mothers, this has been difficult for me to do. Sometimes, just because of logistics. Others, because of the guilt factor. You know the drill: "I can't leave the kids, what if they need me?!?" "I don't want to burden anyone, they are my kids not anyone else's." "My husband is tired from working and I don't want to ask him to do that."

Before having kids, my husband and I loved to travel (very economically of course {wink} ) and that was our preferred getaway. Now, a getaway for me is a hot shower without a small audience or a few moments of quiet with my favorite chai or a book . I don't say that in a resentful or begrudging manner. I'm serious. I treasure those moments and they are important.

The greatest thing I can do, however, is spend time each day connecting with my Heavenly Father. Spending time in prayer, reading my Bible and asking for wisdom and guidance. As it has become increasing difficult to find time to do this, I know it remains the single most important thing I can do as a mother to restore my mind and spirit.

After having our first child. I was breastfeeding and it was difficult for me to get out. It was also a little intimidating for my hubby to stay with her. He thought that every time she cried she was hungry and there was nothing he could do about it. I would get a panicked stricken phone call about 30 minutes into my outing and I would rush home.

We have all learned to adjust (and continue to learn as we add more children). It has made all the difference, however. When I am able to get some time do do things that energize me, I am definitely a better person, wife and mother.

If you were like I was (and the way I am still trying to get better at). Take some time today and do something that will refresh yourself. The people in your life will most likely see the difference and so will you.

In a future post, I plan to do a "one person retreat" giveaway. It will include some of my favorite things that help me relax and restore myself - body and soul.

What about you momma? What do you do to refresh?

How to increase your Swagbucks earnings {Frugal Fridays}

So a few weeks ago I talked about the Swagbucks phenomenon. This is where searching the internet earns you digital bucks.

Today, for "Frugal Friday", I want to share two more tips on how to increase your Swagbucks so that you can cash them in for free stuff.

Sign up for an account

:: On the Swagbucks homepage, you can sign up for a free account. You will earn Swagbucks just for doing this. You can click here to do this.

Search, search, search!

:: As I mentioned last week, you can set the Swagbucks site as your homepage. Therefore, whenever you go online, you can earn by going to the sites that you normally go to. Simply type the name of the website, topic, or social media page that you go to in the search bar.

Next week, I will give two more tips on earning more Swagbucks.

P.S. I got my free stuff in the mail this week that I ordered using my Amazon gift cards "bought" with Swagbucks. That's always fun : )

Happy Swagbucking!