In theory there are savings : no uniform or commuting to school, bye bye fund raising requests from the PTA and gallons of nit shampoo. The reality is that being solely responsible for a child's education does cost - the question is, how much?
We'd considered private schools for K as he doesn't thrive in a big group and we had some savings earmarked. They may yet be used for school, who knows, but in the meantime we're nibbling at the edges of the fund to support home education.
I say nibble.. it's more of a big greedy bite.
Home ed for us has been more expensive than we'd expected even if it is considerably cheaper than private school. This is my list of the financial impact of HE (so far). I've deliberately ignored the opportunity cost that if I'm home schooling then I'm working less because the reality is I am sleeping less. Some of the outgoings would have been spent even if the kids were still at school but now the boys are not wiped out at 3,30pm Mon-Fri we do more clubs, outings and adventures.
Costs
Things that are supporting our primary level HE - not all essential but they make life and learning easier, more fun or both
Resources - books, online subscriptions
Stationery - folders for work, art sketch books, drawing and painting materials, exercise books
Tutors - for the kids' interest areas, weak areas or strong areas, including Explore Learning, music teachers and subject tutors
Memberships - like the National Trust
Sports - swimming, badminton, bowling etc
Trips - zoos, theme parks, city trips
Topic kits - like science experiments, sewing kits
Looking ahead if we were home schooling into secondary (not something we're worrying about yet) then we'd need to budget for exams as they are expensive. The cost can sometimes be spread as you're not having to do them in a single lump.
Unexpected Costs
Things we didn't factor in, because, well you just don't think of these things
Extra food - more fresh air and running around means more food
Printer ink - from enthusiastic printing of resources
Fuel - so many outings, we're clocking up miles on the car
Cheap & Free
Places to claw back some value
Museums and open days - best if you go for a specific exhibit or event to keep things focussed
Libraries - reading in the children's section for a change of scene
Places that give annual membership when you've been once - like Beaulieu and Bletchley Park
Natural resources - woods, rivers, lakes, etc with a picnic for the best in outdoor learning. Take a picnic and a reference book and go spotting for wildlife or historical interest. Unconstrained by the timetable, go when the weather suits
Matinees - be surrounded by school groups by heading to the theatre for the Wednesday matinee or get Tuesday daytime cinema tickets if you want to feel like you've booked a private screening
Museums and open days - best if you go for a specific exhibit or event to keep things focussed
Libraries - reading in the children's section for a change of scene
Places that give annual membership when you've been once - like Beaulieu and Bletchley Park
Natural resources - woods, rivers, lakes, etc with a picnic for the best in outdoor learning. Take a picnic and a reference book and go spotting for wildlife or historical interest. Unconstrained by the timetable, go when the weather suits
Matinees - be surrounded by school groups by heading to the theatre for the Wednesday matinee or get Tuesday daytime cinema tickets if you want to feel like you've booked a private screening
Online resources - thank you internet, especially YouTube, the BBC, TES
Holidays - everything's cheaper and quieter in term time although we have to go without friends
