What's Really Going On: Budget For A Homeschooling Mom With A Job

I don't use anything fancy. Any "desk" will do, I don't use any fancy chairs. I go with the flow and try to catch the moment at what it's worth.  Today was 4:25 pm when I started to write this blog.  Some days it'll be morning and some other days it'll be night when all the kids have gone to sleep.

I rarely spend or buy any of my hard earned dinero on "things" especially right now that the kids are small and can't really appreciate them for what they are worth,  but there are things that I do think are important when it comes to our family, blogging, home schooling, and making money online.  They are:

• LAPTOP/COMPUTER
• A good laptop or computer.  Preferably a laptop because we move around the house so much and I tend to be very flexible with the day (at this point in my home schooling journey) that a laptop is ideal.  

• CURRICULUM

• What would be the point of home schooling if I didn't care what curriculum I supplied the kids?  Uh huh... this is my second most researched item.  Many of  you might not agree with the choice I made this year but for us, Abeka DVD was the best fit for our situation.  I plan on making adjustments and seeing what works and what doesn't.  But, definitely this is something I plan on making a big investment aside from anything else. 

• CAMERA
• If your going to blog and make this an important part of your life along with your kid's memories, a good camera is essential. I don't recommend any type or particular camera because I don't know much about them except that the higher mega pixels on a regular camera (non professional) the better.  I personally use an old one that I let the kids take pictures with and explore their photography skills on that is a Sony (Cyber-Shot) 7.2 mega pixels.  It works great for the everyday stuff. It's easy to manage and durable! The kids have accidentally dropped this camera, I don't know how many times and it still works very well.  Now for my blogging and memories, I use Cannon EOS D60.  I still need wish I could take a photography class and I think these pics would definitely pop out a lot more. I do with what I have. 

• BOOKS
• Books, books, and more books!!! I love books, I didn't grow up with any, I was never that one child reading at school while others were playing or you would never find me in a library, but for this very reason (homeschooling), God knew I would be destined to love them becuase I always had this urge once I was able to go around town on my own to go and read at the library.  I now can't get enough, there are some VERY interesting books out there, besides the fact that they are the best thing for a child's every growing brain! So I either go to flea markets, yard sales, consignments, and just about anywhere that I can get a hold of them. Hardly ever new, this way I get more for my buck. 
• Here on Fort Bliss they have this "Free Place" (Is what Elijah calls it).  They give away things to the military families that are willing to visit and take.  You can donate too if you want. That's where I get mine, you would be amazed at how many books loose their home. :( and never get adopted.

• INTERNET
• We definitely try not to watch tv during the week.  There's just not enough hours in the day to make room for that.  But what we do opt for is the internet.  It's a must for blogging (obviously)  website making, and above all Christian Home Schooling. That's where we found out about all the home schooling options, where we get our daily praise and worship songs (Hillsong), and the kid's beyond-education (YouTube- with moderation, Netflix- for toddler education) and finally for all my personal needs- Blogging Inspiration. :) 
• GROCERIES
• We rarely eat out, I don't like eating out often because of the nutritional  factors that I watch out for in what goes into my children's precious body and spirit.  But on those special occasions and rare moments when there is just no energy, plan or want for wholesome home cooked meals, we do eat out and I splurge on this too.  
• I go grocery shopping every Sunday morning (We attend church on Saturdays, less crowd for our pack of Flowers). This is where I spend my money for this budget topic.  I buy lots of fruit and vegetables.  Some organic meats and boxed, canned stuff.  This can get a little more expensive when you opt for the GOOD stuff.  For me, I'd rather buy really good ingredients or a full filling dinner than a stale and salty fatting fast food nugget. You can choose your battles. 

Well that's it, I think.  There might be more to come, but for right now I think this is the meat and potatoes of where our money goes at this point in our lives.  I didn't put clothes or any of that other stuff, because I honestly don't spend too much on that stuff  to even consider it a need.  When the kids outgrow their stuff or need supplies for their education I try to seek the most cost effective stuff I can find, again, yard sales, second-hand stores, etc.  I reuse a lot of the things and therefor makes them indispensable and very cheap. See About us.  We do sometimes splurge or spend on frugal things, but we try not to because it's the mission that we are in that keeps us grounded and back on the path of our ultimate goals.  For you it might be different, sit down and ponder on what your goals are for this year and what it is you want the outcome of your life and your children you want it to be and tailor your budget towards them.  Keep yourself focused but also be flexible and enjoy.