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Frugal Homeschooler Digest (part 2)
MESSAGE: Pointers on how to sell used curriculum and materials over the net or anywhere else AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Friday, 1 January 1999, at 12:28 p.m. Response To: Do you have any quick pointers on what to watch out for...... Author: Karen C. Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998, at 5:06 p.m. > What > about pricing-- 1/2 price or less depending > on condition? It depends. I've sold things that were totally new (still in the shrinkwrap--never opened) so I sold them for maybe 25% off what I got it for. If I pay the shipping it can come out to be quite a deal for whoever decides to buy it. Look at your item hoenstly and ask yourself how much you'd pay for it if you were the one that was going to buy it. >Do you send materials > or wait until you've received payment > before sending? ALWAYS wait until you get the payment from the person purchasing before you send anything out. Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Phone book study! AUTHOR: Bliss DATE: Friday, 1 January 1999, at 4:16 p.m. Response To: Phone book study! Author: Jody C. Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998, at 2:22 p.m. Jody, As you have pointed out, there is a wealth of FREE information and material right under our noses that most people fail to see. A friend of mine grew up on an Indian Reservation 45 years ago (her father ran a general store there). The school had no money, nor supplies, except for used phone books and a blackboard. She says that they all learned to read using the phone books, first picking out individual letters, later sounding out words. I am constantly amazed by those in eduacation today arguing that we can't expect much from our schools because they are lacking in resources. It takes very little in the way of monetary resources to provide a good education. ======================================== MESSAGE: Science/Nature STudy AUTHOR: Jody C. DATE: Friday, 1 January 1999, at 7:12 p.m. Dear all, Speaking of being thrifty...why not observe and record nature for your science. I'm of the Charlotte Mason Homeschool Theology and nature study is a regular part of our homeschooling curricula. Just go for a walk and pick up anything along the way or sit and watch birds, horses, cows, sheep, your dog or cat and record what you've learned in a separate nature journal. In it you might put in the common name of the plant/animal/rock and then the scientific name (latin lesson?). Get the old encyclopedia out for questions you might have about it. Find a special poem about the snow, wind, bluebells....and record in your nature journal. Draw pictures of what you've just observed. Press flowers in it, or leaves. Take photos and put in it. You may want to record the temperature, wind direction, precipitation for a month or for the entire year as you record. We usually record the date and then the entry. These are great treasures for years down the road and nature study is "real study" not just snippets of science in a textbook. A friend of mine who took biology (highschool) said that our nature study would have allowed her to "ace" her course. Amazing what you can learn from God's creation. One great resource...Anna Botsford Handbook of Nature Study and various field guides. But encyclopedia works too! Jody ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: I let my ds open a checking acct. when he was ten, too.... AUTHOR: Ann in NC DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 7:10 a.m. Response To: I let my ds open a checking acct. when he was ten, too.... Author: Judy Date: Friday, 1 January 1999, at 11:37 a.m. >I had to threaten to take my business elsewhere before our bank would let my 12 year old get a checking account. Sheesh! They made such a big deal about it, and they charger her $3 a month for it. ======================================== MESSAGE: OK, And Suggestions for cheap stickers! AUTHOR: Debra DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 8:04 a.m. My kids just LOVE stickers, but they can use up a package in no time flat! Any ideas for getting cheap stickers? I try to find them on clearance (just like the Christmas ones now). I guess 5yo have no sense of "conservation". I mean if you give them a package of stickers they use them ALL! They don't think about the picture itself (at least that is what mine are doing). I suppose one way around this is using stencils, which we do use. But they still love stickers. Debra ======================================== MESSAGE: Make your own. AUTHOR: Clare DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 9:52 a.m. Response To: OK, And Suggestions for cheap stickers! Author: Debra Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 8:04 a.m. Having been born in the pre-sticker era, I learned as a kid to make my own and enjoyed it. Just cut out pictures from book club ads, comic books, magazines, seed catalogues, junk mail ads, toy packaging, greeting cards, etc. Or cut out shapes from construction paper, wrapping paper, printer's ends and so on. Coat the back side with barely diluted white glue and set them aside to dry. In an hour or two, you have stickers that are used by moistening. You can even recruit relatives to save appropriate sticker materials for you. You know, maybe Grandma gardens and has a lot of seed catalogues. With all of them put together, you could have quite a collection of flower, vegetable and fruit stickers. Or you could put a note in your church bulletin or at your homeschool support group for peaople tp please save you the disney ads they come across. You could work up a Mickey Mouse theme collection or similar. Or maybe Uncle Mark has a stack of old car magazines--well, make car stickers! ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Make your own. AUTHOR: Debra DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 10:46 a.m. Response To: Make your own. Author: Clare Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 9:52 a.m. > Having been born in the pre-sticker > era, I learned as a kid to make my own > and enjoyed it. Just cut out pictures > from book club ads, comic books, magazines, > seed catalogues, junk mail ads, toy > packaging, greeting cards, etc. Or cut > out shapes from construction paper, > wrapping paper, printer's ends and so > on. DUH! I forgot about that! YES! I did that too! I can remember using the old Sears catalog for lots of fun pictures! GEE! What a dummy I am to forget that. See how caught up you can get in today's society that you forget the simpler ways. ======================================== MESSAGE: I once saw a recipe... AUTHOR: Ann ZS DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 12:05 p.m. Response To: Re: Make your own. Author: Debra Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 10:46 a.m. which used diluted gelatin on the back of the stickers/pictures, so the kids could lick them like they're used to doing, and it is safe. If I can locate it, I'll post it... Peace n Christ, Ann > ======================================== MESSAGE: Here's the recipe... AUTHOR: Ann ZS DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 12:20 p.m. Response To: I once saw a recipe... Author: Ann ZS Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 12:05 p.m. When all your pictures are ready... In a small saucepan, bring 8 tbsp vinegar to a boil. Add 4 packs of unflavored gelatin, reduce the heat to low and stir til the gelatin is completely dissolved. Add 1 tbsp peppermint extract and mix it in well. You will now have a little less than 1/2 cup glue, plenty for several full sheets of paper. Brush the glue on the backs of the pictures. If the paper is thin they may curl as they dry, but will straighten out when licked and applied. If the glue in the pan begins to harden while using it, place the saucepan in a large pan of hot water and let the glue soften. To save glue for another time, pour into a small bottle and cap. It should last several months. The directions were for making stickers using rubber stamped designs, but I should think it would work with any paper. If you try it, let me know how it works! >From Crafts For All Seasons by Lorraine Bodger and Delia Ephron, Universe Books, 1980 ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: You know what really bugs me? AUTHOR: Sissy DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 4:42 p.m. Response To: You know what really bugs me? Author: Cerelle Date: Wednesday, 30 December 1998, at 6:24 p.m. I use Legos for math manipulatives when I need some. They are colorful, you can sort them, you can count them, you can make patterns with them, you can "stack" them and my boys already love playing with them! ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: I crack up when I see homeschoolers buying 'fake money'! AUTHOR: Sissy DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 4:53 p.m. Response To: Re: I crack up when I see homeschoolers buying 'fake money'! Author: Clare Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998, at 7:54 a.m. > At my near-by parent & teacher's > store, the plastic coins cost more than > the real thing. For example, $2.50 in > fake coins cost $3.69 of my real money! Our near-by $1.00 store sells fake money. Packages with "paper" and coins for, you guessed it, $1.00! My kids love to play "store" so we use it for that plus giving my boys extra practice in counting change so that when they do go to a "real" store they feel more confident. ======================================== MESSAGE: Rubber stamps and stamper/markers... AUTHOR: Jody C. DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 7:07 p.m. Response To: Here's the recipe... Author: Ann ZS Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 12:20 p.m. > >I got into rubber stamping awhile ago, and so we make many cards, recipe cards, gift wrap, gift bags and such. We also use them for "stickers" on good work. The nice thing is they can stamp and stamp and stamp...different colors, different stamps. Problem: rubber stamps can be spendy! Crayola has a kids stamping kit that has about 50 different animals etc to stamp with. The kit was under $10. You could also make potato stamps once in awhile! Although they won't last! We've also used our markers to color the backs of leaves and such and then pressed it down on cards, papers, stationary. My daughter bought herself some stampers which look like markers only each end has a different design on it...heart, lips, animal, tracks, flowers and so on. These are neat too and cost about $3-4. Another alternative to stickers...I draw on their papers! (I'm no artist but I can draw some simple flowers, dinosaurs, Santas, pigs, etc.) I let kids choose a color and then I surprise them with the picture for their good work! I might even put a letter grade within the picture! Simple. Thanks for the sticker recipe. My kids will love this!!! One more thing on this line of thought... We've made neat school folders by buying the cheapo 10cent folders and then decorating them in the same way you make stickers...brother who golfs makes a golfing folder by glueing golfing cut outs all over the front. Kids have even made them for each other as gifts. Kinda Fun!! Jody ======================================== MESSAGE: Does free internet access count towards frugal homeschooling???? AUTHOR: Gina DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 7:49 p.m. I ran across a review at the mining company for free internet access. We haven't switched yet but are in the process of it (switching to yahoo mail and notifying everyone). It's offered by Netzero at www.netzero.net And you can read the review at the mining company at www.miningcompany.com to find the article search their site for free ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Here's the recipe... AUTHOR: Pat DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 9:56 p.m. Response To: Here's the recipe... Author: Ann ZS Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 12:20 p.m. > > When all your pictures are ready... > > In a small saucepan, bring 8 tbsp > vinegar to a boil. Add 4 packs of unflavored > gelatin, reduce the heat to low and > stir til the gelatin is completely dissolved. > Add 1 tbsp peppermint extract and mix > it in well. > You will now have a little less > than 1/2 cup glue, plenty for several > full sheets of paper. > Brush the glue on the backs of > the pictures. If the paper is thin they > may curl as they dry, but will straighten > out when licked and applied. > If the glue in the pan begins to > harden while using it, place the saucepan > in a large pan of hot water and let > the glue soften. To save glue for another > time, pour into a small bottle and cap. > It should last several months. > The directions were for making > stickers using rubber stamped designs, > but I should think it would work with > any paper. If you try it, let me know > how it works! > From Crafts For All Seasons by > Lorraine Bodger and Delia Ephron, Universe > Books, 1980 ======================================== MESSAGE: Thanks!! AUTHOR: Pat DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 9:58 p.m. Response To: Here's the recipe... Author: Ann ZS Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 12:20 p.m. This will save me a bundle!! and be a project my daughter will probably work on forever!! > > When all your pictures are ready... > > In a small saucepan, bring 8 tbsp > vinegar to a boil. Add 4 packs of unflavored > gelatin, reduce the heat to low and > stir til the gelatin is completely dissolved. > Add 1 tbsp peppermint extract and mix > it in well. > You will now have a little less > than 1/2 cup glue, plenty for several > full sheets of paper. > Brush the glue on the backs of > the pictures. If the paper is thin they > may curl as they dry, but will straighten > out when licked and applied. > If the glue in the pan begins to > harden while using it, place the saucepan > in a large pan of hot water and let > the glue soften. To save glue for another > time, pour into a small bottle and cap. > It should last several months. > The directions were for making > stickers using rubber stamped designs, > but I should think it would work with > any paper. If you try it, let me know > how it works! > From Crafts For All Seasons by > Lorraine Bodger and Delia Ephron, Universe > Books, 1980 ======================================== MESSAGE: Here's how my dh reacted to this- AUTHOR: Lesley DATE: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 10:09 p.m. Response To: Re: Setting a budget... Author: Melanie Date: Wednesday, 30 December 1998, at 10:07 p.m. A while back I suggested that we each get a certain amount of money that we could spend "without accountability"- my dh hated the idea. He felt like he would be once again getting an allowance, like being a child. He felt insulted by the idea. Of course, at the time we could have only afforded a very small amount (this is when I was still in college) so that may have had something to do with it. Lesley > How about agreeing on an amount > he can spend without any accountability? > It's always nice to be able to spend > something without explaining on what > or why. Just an idea, Melanie ======================================== MESSAGE: HSing on the cheap.... AUTHOR: annie DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 10:15 a.m. I'm a confirmed skin-flint when it comes to buying school stuff. I frequent yard sales, used-book stores and software closeouts. I've gotten some incredible bargains and such a wide and rich range of kits, activity sets, books, supplies and resources by being very open-minded, keeping an eye out for the unusual (not so 'popular') and using my ADD abilities to see 'other' uses for things. Being basically an un-schooling family makes it more flexible too. We can use what we have available rather than looking for just 'that certain item we have to have'...do you know what I mean? ======================================== MESSAGE: Stickers and glue, take it a step further... AUTHOR: Lopez DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 11:04 a.m. Response To: Thanks!! Author: Pat Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 9:58 p.m. Gift Idea:"THE STICKER MAKER GIFT" 1.Write the recipe in an index card(decorate the card with rubber stamps) 2.Make the glue and place 3\4 of the content in a bottle and cap, lable GLUE add the date. 3.Make a few sample stickersto spark ideas and send with the "STICKER MAKER GIFT" 4.Add a small brush to facilited with glue application. Place it all in a nice box(decorated of course) And Presto! You have a Wonderful Gift to give! ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Does free internet access count towards frugal homeschooling???? AUTHOR: Lesley DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 11:10 a.m. Response To: Does free internet access count towards frugal homeschooling???? Author: Gina Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 7:49 p.m. Free internet access is great- my dh's work includes this as one of his "perks" But, I think even at $20 a month internet access is a great bargain. Lots of support and ideas, as well as resources! Lesley > I ran across a review at the mining > company for free internet access. We > haven't switched yet but are in the > process of it (switching to yahoo mail > and notifying everyone). > It's offered by Netzero at www.netzero.net > > And you can read the review at > the mining company at www.miningcompany.com > to find the article search their site > for free ======================================== MESSAGE: worth AUTHOR: Marla DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 1:21 p.m. Response To: Re: Teddy bear counters and other worthless items! Author: VickiC Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998, at 9:08 a.m. Don't you think worth depends on use. I've got some "worthless" Tupperware, only because it just sits in my cabinet. :-) My .02 which sometimes isn't worth much either. :P In Christ Marla > ======================================== MESSAGE: Also used book stores... AUTHOR: denise DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 4:03 p.m. Response To: Where to sell your used curriculum Author: Giovanna Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998, at 6:05 a.m. There are a couple of used book stores in our city that sill buy curriculum or trade for store credit. I have found that you will get more money, though, selling items on the internet. The stores here will give you store credit for half of what they will sell it for (half of retail), or a third of what they will charge in cash. ======================================== MESSAGE: Bare Bones AUTHOR: Mellisa DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 8:53 p.m. Without the Internet, I doubt I would have had the courage to homeschool my daughter. I pay $19.95 per month for my unlimited online service. I have found hundreds of free lesson plans, unit studies, museum and exploration sites, support sites, etc. My daughter's father had serious concerns about her falling behind if I pulled her out of school. I was able to get the curriculum frameworks and learner benchmarks from the school district and State of NH Department of Education websites so I will have a plan to follow. I have not purchased any curriculum. I left my job and decided to make educating my children my career. I returned my car to the dealer. We are now a one car family. I sifted through my closet and took all of my "career" clothes to the thrift store to sell on consignment. I spend Saturday mornings - ALONE (gotta care for the caregiver) - going to the local thrift shops, yard sales and used book stores. When I heard a local family support organization was hiring a new director, I called and asked if I could meet with her to discuss the agency hiring me to create their quartlery newsletter. I got the job and have decided to use that extra income for my homeschooling shopping. I'm learning to cook and grocery shop for a family of five on $50 a week. You'd be amazed how many meals you can make out of a single chicken. Instead of meat being the main dish - it is now treated as a side dish. Pasta, rice and potatoes are a lot less expensive and more filling. On a recent visit to an office supply sore, I noticed they threw away copy paper when they goofed on making a copy. They now save the paper for me in a box by the copier. My three-year-old uses it for coloring. I use the blank side to print worksheets off the computer. Appliance boxes from the local Sears made the perfect playhouse and puppet theater. Tomorrow morning hundreds of children will be heading back to public school in a ritual that reminds me of the Pink Floyd movie, "The Wall" in which the children are marching blindly into the classroom like little soldiers. My daughter will be starting her first day of homeschool. I couldn't be prouder. Every parent has said, at least once, they would do anything for their children. I meant it. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Libraries and how I use the Sonlight catalog as curriculum AUTHOR: Shawna DATE: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 8:56 p.m. Response To: Re: Libraries and how I use the Sonlight catalog as curriculum Author: MaryN Date: Tuesday, 29 December 1998, at 4:43 p.m. >So, how do you get your hands on a Sonlight catalog? ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: discounts AUTHOR: AMH DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 5:05 a.m. Response To: Re: Does free internet access count towards frugal homeschooling???? Author: Lesley Date: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 11:10 a.m. Some places offer discounts to home schoolers or educators. > Free internet access is great- > my dh's work includes this as one of > his "perks" > But, I think even at $20 a month > internet access is a great bargain. > Lots of support and ideas, as well as > resources! > Lesley ======================================== MESSAGE: Debra, You are so smart! AUTHOR: denise DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 6:45 a.m. Response To: Buying out of fear Author: Debra Date: Wednesday, 30 December 1998, at 7:38 p.m. What you are doing now is what I finally (after a year of spending lots of $$) have the confidence to start doing. My dh and I were reading your post and laughed, because our philosophy in the beginning was to relieve stress and have fun, but it was in reality hard to do because of my fear of 'messing up'. We laughed because now that we are comfortable and have just purchased museum and zoo passes.... Living and learning, Denise ======================================== MESSAGE: Empowerment AUTHOR: Judy DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 7:59 a.m. Response To: Bare Bones Author: Mellisa Date: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 8:53 p.m. It's so incredible to find out, when you get over the initial trepidations, that it doesn't take a fortune to "do" this homeschool thing. It takes focus and perspective and commitment--and those come from us, not a government school. Congratulations on knowing what's truly important and seizing the day! > Without the Internet, I doubt I > would have had the courage to homeschool > my daughter. I pay $19.95 per month > for my unlimited online service. I have > found hundreds of free lesson plans, > unit studies, museum and exploration > sites, support sites, etc. My daughter's > father had serious concerns about her > falling behind if I pulled her out of > school. I was able to get the curriculum > frameworks and learner benchmarks from > the school district and State of NH > Department of Education websites so > I will have a plan to follow. I have > not purchased any curriculum. I left > my job and decided to make educating > my children my career. I returned my > car to the dealer. We are now a one > car family. I sifted through my closet > and took all of my "career" > clothes to the thrift store to sell > on consignment. I spend Saturday mornings > - ALONE (gotta care for the caregiver) > - going to the local thrift shops, yard > sales and used book stores. When I heard > a local family support organization > was hiring a new director, I called > and asked if I could meet with her to > discuss the agency hiring me to create > their quartlery newsletter. I got the > job and have decided to use that extra > income for my homeschooling shopping. > I'm learning to cook and grocery shop > for a family of five on $50 a week. > You'd be amazed how many meals you can > make out of a single chicken. Instead > of meat being the main dish - it is > now treated as a side dish. Pasta, rice > and potatoes are a lot less expensive > and more filling. On a recent visit > to an office supply sore, I noticed > they threw away copy paper when they > goofed on making a copy. They now save > the paper for me in a box by the copier. > My three-year-old uses it for coloring. > I use the blank side to print worksheets > off the computer. Appliance boxes from > the local Sears made the perfect playhouse > and puppet theater. Tomorrow morning > hundreds of children will be heading > back to public school in a ritual that > reminds me of the Pink Floyd movie, > "The Wall" in which the children > are marching blindly into the classroom > like little soldiers. My daughter will > be starting her first day of homeschool. > I couldn't be prouder. Every parent > has said, at least once, they would > do anything for their children. I meant > it. ======================================== MESSAGE: NetZero is great! AUTHOR: Stephanie DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 9:00 a.m. Response To: Does free internet access count towards frugal homeschooling???? Author: Gina Date: Saturday, 2 January 1999, at 7:49 p.m. I have been using NetZero since the fall and love it. I never have trouble getting on and never get "bumped off" without a warning notice first. (unlike when I was on AOL and regularly was bumped off!) It's a great service and it does have email, too. Check it out! ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Sonlight Curriculum AUTHOR: MaryN DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 9:39 a.m. Response To: Re: Libraries and how I use the Sonlight catalog as curriculum Author: Shawna Date: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 8:56 p.m. > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Sonlight Curriculum AUTHOR: MaryN DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 9:41 a.m. Response To: Re: Sonlight Curriculum Author: MaryN Date: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 9:39 a.m. The web page for Sonlight is : www.sonlight-curriculum.com thier phone number is (303) 730-6292 The address is 8121 South Grant Way Littleton, Co 80122-2701 There you have it, Mary > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: I made friends with the lady in the thrift store :-) AUTHOR: Kim DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 10:56 a.m. Response To: Also used book stores... Author: denise Date: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 4:03 p.m. but I don't have a car during the day anymore so I can't get down there. But she was saving and books that looked useful for school for well over a year for me ! And I always got a GOOD deal on them because I had 4 little kids ;-) ======================================== MESSAGE: ? for those with kids with checking accounts. AUTHOR: Jolee F DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 1:19 p.m. Some of you mentioned when discussing cheap ways of doing math that your kids had checking accounts. Are they able to write checks at stores? If so, how? What do they use the accounts for? Thanks in advance, Jolee ======================================== MESSAGE: Taking care of books AUTHOR: Lee DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 1:46 p.m. When my kids use textbooks or other books that can be later sold to recoup some of the expense, we keep them clean by making bookcovers from paper grocery bags. They can decorate them with markers, stickers, etc. ======================================== MESSAGE: If the store requires two forms of ID... AUTHOR: Judy DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 2:04 p.m. Response To: ? for those with kids with checking accounts. Author: Jolee F Date: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 1:19 p.m. my l3 year old has his Social Security card and a state photo ID card from the driver's license bureau (cost $5). Nobody at any store has refused his check, although they usually raise their eyebrows a little. The bank doesn't charge a monthly fee because it's a student account. I can't remember if they charged for the checks. They probably did because he got some Star Wars ones. > Some of you mentioned when discussing > cheap ways of doing math that your kids > had checking accounts. Are they able > to write checks at stores? If so, how? > > What do they use the accounts for? > > Thanks in advance, Jolee ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: ? for those with kids with checking accounts. AUTHOR: Susan M DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 3:24 p.m. Response To: ? for those with kids with checking accounts. Author: Jolee F Date: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 1:19 p.m. > Some of you mentioned when discussing > cheap ways of doing math that your kids > had checking accounts. Are they able > to write checks at stores? If so, how? > What do they use the accounts for? > Our credit union requires a student to be 16 before they will give him a checking account. We plan to have our son get one in March, when he turns 16. Then we will give him a monthly clothing allowance and allow him to budget and buy his own clothes. I think it will be good practice for when he is on his own. Susan M ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Empowerment AUTHOR: Lesley DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 5:25 p.m. Response To: Empowerment Author: Judy Date: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 7:59 a.m. > It takes focus > and perspective and commitment--and > those come from us, not a government > school. > And how often do children get to see that (focus, perspective and commitment) in schools, even private ones. Yes, there are teachers that embody these principals, but they are few and far between. At home our children see this every day! BTW, I loved that reference to "The Wall" "if you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!" Lesley ======================================== MESSAGE: I LOVE THIS! AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 7:39 p.m. Response To: Bare Bones Author: Mellisa Date: Sunday, 3 January 1999, at 8:53 p.m. I read your post and felt like standing up and clapping. BRAVO! Your story is inspiring and motivating. Listen, we ALL should cut backs on spending. We all certainly could use more money in our savings acct. We all need to learn to live more frugally even if it's just to be able to give to others who are in real need. Your story is a real example of resourcefulness and determination. I stand in awe! As a matter of fact, I'm bringing hubby in here and I'm making him read your post. :-D Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: I like to reinforce the spines of mass market paper backs AUTHOR: Katherine DATE: Tuesday, 5 January 1999, at 6:10 a.m. Response To: Taking care of books Author: Lee Date: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 1:46 p.m. With wide clear tape. I use packaging tape, but real library tape is much nicer. (Also about 6Xs the price.) The tape along the spine helps save the binding from those little thumb tears and the books remain "nicer" for the next reader. It also helps prevent older and used books from falling apart. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: ? for those with kids with checking accounts. AUTHOR: Bonnie DATE: Tuesday, 5 January 1999, at 8:50 a.m. Response To: ? for those with kids with checking accounts. Author: Jolee F Date: Monday, 4 January 1999, at 1:19 p.m. When my kids got theirs (from the local teacher's credit union), they were both still in public school. I would give them each a clothing allowance at the beginning of the school year (still do that). Things cost a higher amount of money when it's THEIR money (even tho I give it to them) and are sometimes not worth buying suddenly. :) They would also pay for their school trips and activities out of it. My son learned the value of accuracy (the hard way) when he wrote a check to his audio club that bounced because he had done the previous transaction's subtraction wrong. Bonnie ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: I like to reinforce the whole book AUTHOR: Marla DATE: Tuesday, 5 January 1999, at 9:12 p.m. Response To: Re: I like to reinforce the spines of mass market paper backs Author: Katherine Date: Tuesday, 5 January 1999, at 6:10 a.m. When I buy paperback books I like to take clear shelving paper and cover the book. Expecially if I'm borrowing it. The owner usually doesn't mind and I feel good about the condition of the book when we return it. Sometimes we are a little rough on them. In Christ Marla > > ======================================== MESSAGE: food co-op AUTHOR: MaryN DATE: Wednesday, 6 January 1999, at 4:30 a.m. I don't belong to one but I am interested. How do you find one? Do you save a lot of money? If there is not one around how would you start one? Perhaps through the local health food store? Mary ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: food co-op AUTHOR: Gina DATE: Wednesday, 6 January 1999, at 7:34 p.m. Response To: food co-op Author: MaryN Date: Wednesday, 6 January 1999, at 4:30 a.m. I have belonged to two food co-ops. One in Florida and one in Arizona. Since we are vegan it did save us a lot of money (health food stores have high mark up and not much competition to drive prices down). Both times I just started them myself. In AZ I had one friend that was in my coop. Here in FL it's just me. I probably could get others to join if I wanted but I order enough on a bi-monthly basis to meet the minimum. Both times joining involved filling in some forms and paying a one-time fee, around $25. There is an on-line list of co-ops at: http://www.prairienet.org/co-op/directory/ If you have a choice of co-ops that deliver to your area call each and ask for their catalogs and membership forms. Compare membership fees and product fees. I have found a big gap in what kind of markup co-ops charge (anywhere from 3 percent to full retail). Just curious - where are you? ======================================== MESSAGE: Frugality = using the resources you already have in plentiful supply AUTHOR: Cerelle DATE: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 5:42 a.m. I do remember having math manipulatives in grade school. We had bundles of popsicle sticks (in tens) to help us figure out place value. I'm sure Mrs. Pilgreen (& what a wonderful woman she was!) had been saving them for years. I also remember that there were always popsicles available for purchase on the playground at recess, so the popsicles sticks were obviously a "natural resource." I think frugality, in its essence, is indeed a matter of taking advantage of available resources. The kids and I once did a whole unit study (of sorts) on this very thing. We looked at several cultures in different regions of the world and investigated how they made use of their most abundant resources. What we found was a high degree of creativity and lateral thinking! A culture living close to nature will find an amazing array of uses for what it already has in abundance. The lake dwellers of Titicaca (in Peru) use reeds to build floating islands, boats, shelters, mats, clothing -- the list goes on and on. There's no END to the uses they've discovered for reeds. Our great-grandmothers had 101 uses for beef tallow. The #1 secret of frugality (in my opinion) is generating multiple applications for what you already happen to have in plentiful supply. Now if I could just come up with a good use for dryer lint... Of course, if I were TRULY frugal, I'd be hanging my laundry out on the line. Cerelle ======================================== MESSAGE: debt-free is best AUTHOR: Cecilia DATE: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 6:55 p.m. Well, first I want to thank Giovanna who let me know about this discussion. I've read most of the messages and there are so many thoughtful suggestions I didn't know what else to contribute. After thinking it over carefully I decided I'd share our method for getting by and enjoying life without having to give up some nice things. Here's how we do it. Before we started homeschooling we made a one year plan. We sat down together and decided where we wanted to be financially in one year. We also talked about things we wanted to do and have for that one year goal. At the time we were living in a rented apartment and wanted to buy a house. We decided that if dh's income qualified us to purchase a home for $90,000 we would find one for $50,000, and we did - in good shape. Our mortgage payment is now less than any of the area's cheapest apartments and we've something to leave behind to our children. The plus of this is obvious too, we have extra money to spend that isn't tied up in housing. Another benefit is that we bought the car we LIKED, and had enought money to get a good bargain for it too, rather than the one we would have to settle for if our money had been tied up in paying monthly debts. The basic ingredient to happy homeschooling, IMHO, and life without financial woes is to eliminate all debt and live below your means. As low as comfortably possible but with enough money left to have a fun, to have a life, to give generously. I used to shop with coupons and at different grocery stores looking for bargains. But I started to read books on time management and discovered that my time was worth a lot more than the pennies I was saving. I was being penny wise and pound foolish. I no longer bargain hunt furiously for those pennies to save. Instead I save up for a quality item and go straight to it. I don't spend all that time I used to going thru tons of clothes or things in thrift stores or big bargain stores. Now I decide a year in advance how much we will spend on clothing for each family member and wait for a nice store to have a good sale and go get it. Occassionally, we find some nice things in our outings and are glad that we saved our money for a "rainy day" rather than all those hours wasted looking for one piece of ill-fitting clothing. Nowadays we project our budget each year in advance and KNOW where the money is going and are better stewards for it. Being debt free, living below our means, understanding the value of a dollar and the value of time have made us truly free. We took the time to learn stewardship skills and its paid off in being able to make decisions on small and large purchases. Even some unexpected home repairs without going into debt. When we discovered termites had eaten through some wood in a living room wall we were glad we had continued to pay up on our pest control contract. The treatment was covered. It would have been easy to have kept that money each year and buy curriculum or books or spend it in bargain hunting. But handing it over faithfully paid off in the long run. Another recent concrete example: Our washing machine was very old and had been repaired numerous times. Last year we decided that this would be the year we would find a used one to replace it the next time it broke. It broke on Monday and yesterday, Wednesday, we found one. Using our time management vs. cheapest washer we only called used appliance stores within our area. There was one 3 blocks away who gave us a deal, with a warranty, and free delivery. Time spent looking in the phone book and making the calls: 15 minutes. Just out of curiosity, later I glanced in the newspaper want ads and was pleased to see that we really got a good deal with alot less hassle and a warranty too on a used washer, a better deal than if we would have spend hours calling and driving around trying to find that perfect "deal" from some one in the paper. Well, I guess I don't have any special or specific budget saving tips on homeschooling. What I hope to impart is just a little bit of wisdom that should help when it comes to makind do with what we've got. Three things to help you manage your money so that you can enjoy a nice dinner out sometimes: 1. Eliminate all debt. DON'T borrow money, pay CASH for everything. 2. Find housing that is the best you can possible live with for the cheapest money. Rent or buy but if you're in your late 30's try to buy, it's best for the future. Real estate agents suggest you buy the worst house in the best neighborhood. For obvious reasons, but at least for this one, when the economy is bad your house depreciates less than those around yours in case you need to sell. 3. Understand completely that TIME IS MONEY. Get rid of the penny wise pound foolish mentality. God bless, Cecilia in Central Florida ======================================== MESSAGE: Time is valuable, isn't it? AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 8:16 p.m. Response To: debt-free is best Author: Cecilia Date: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 6:55 p.m. > Well, first I want to thank Giovanna > who let me know about this discussion. > THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY! > I used to shop with coupons and > at different grocery stores looking > for bargains. But I started to read > books on time management and discovered > that my time was worth a lot more than > the pennies I was saving. I was being > penny wise and pound foolish. I could have written this. Once upon a time I had the time for furious coupon clipping and driving to all the different sales. Now, since we are a one car family, time has become very, very precious. Plus we live far out from the city. We can't drive all over the place. If we see a bargain we take advantage of it but we are not going to drive all over town looking for it. > Occassionally, we find some nice > things in our outings and are glad that > we saved our money for a "rainy > day" rather than all those hours > wasted looking for one piece of ill-fitting > clothing. > Nowadays we project our budget > each year in advance and KNOW where > the money is going and are better stewards > for it. I like what you wrote here. It sounds like you're in control of your finances instead of your finances controlling you. This is the point where I'd like to get. Right now we are not there due to a lot of debt (student loans). > Being debt free, living below our > means, understanding the value of a > dollar and the value of time have made > us truly free. We took the time to learn > stewardship skills and its paid off > in being able to make decisions on small > and large purchases. Even some unexpected > home repairs without going into debt. > WONDERFUL! > > Using our time management vs. cheapest > washer we only called used appliance > stores within our area. There was one > 3 blocks away who gave us a deal, with > a warranty, and free delivery. Time > spent looking in the phone book and > making the calls: 15 minutes. EXCELLENT! I loved reading your post. Great perspective. Thanks for stopping by! Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: BRAVO!!!Re: debt-free is best AUTHOR: Debra DATE: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 10:21 p.m. Response To: debt-free is best Author: Cecilia Date: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 6:55 p.m. OH, If only I had understood that 15 years ago ! But I do understand it now, and this is my goal as well. I tease my husband and say we are "self imposed" poor because I put us on a very strict budget and all my extra goes to paying off that mortgage early! (for me "debt free" includes no mortgage). But as for coupons and bargins, I guess I disagree with you in part. It probably depends on the person. I have a good mind for numbers and I can calculates savings well and I also remember prices from place to place (although, I can for the life of me remember ANYONE's name ). Just tonight I told someone about a savings of $.69 per gallon on milk at another store . I live in a small town so going from store to store isn't hard at all (in fact at least once a week I drive by every store anyway). I love coupons. I tracked my savings one year and I had saved close to $2000 in coupons and rebates (substracting out envelope and postage costs). That was "tax free" money too. So if it is something you enjoy (and I do) and you are good at it (and I am ) than I highly recommend taking the time to clip coupons and check prices. But on your point of "debt free", it is quite a relief (I am sure) to know you no longer owe a debt. I look forward to that day myself!!! ======================================== MESSAGE: Me too! (except we say that he HAS an allowance, as opposed to my giving him one... AUTHOR: Melissa in FL DATE: Friday, 8 January 1999, at 11:27 a.m. Response To: I give mine an allowance! Author: Lee Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998, at 12:52 p.m. My dh has expensive hobbies - model trains, planes, computer, beer brewing,..... I cannot imagine a time when we would have $100 'extra' in the budget so that he can buy a new train engine. So he gets a certain amount each paycheck that I never even see in terms of the household accounts, and he (the breadwinner) doesn't have to come to me (the breadspender) to ask for money for his hobbies. We have done this for many years now, and it works for us. Like you, I pay all the bills and take care of the accounts. Melissa in FL > When it's gone, he's done until > next paycheck. I made the mistake of > letting him have control of our money > several years ago and we wound up bankrupt. > Never again! Whoever can control their > spending should handle the money. ======================================== MESSAGE: More Links Than You Ever Wanted AUTHOR: Abbey DATE: Saturday, 9 January 1999, at 7:38 a.m. Here are some links: http://www.cix.co.uk/~highland/oamc.htm http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6671/oamc.html http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/3718/index.html http://members.aol.com/clseelhoff/v5n07b.htm http://members.aol.com/OAMCLoop/index.html http://home.earthlink.net/~snider29/OAMC.htm More than you ever wanted to know!! Abbey ======================================== MESSAGE: The kids can help cut educational costs, too! AUTHOR: Cerelle DATE: Saturday, 9 January 1999, at 10:09 p.m. The thread about free Internet access brought this to mind -- when the kids are old enough to do volunteer work, their "free" labor can really add up to family savings. Examples: We enjoyed free Internet access for several years, simply because Ariel volunteered one day a week at our ISP's offices. Neat trick, huh? Ever since my daughters became museum volunteers, the whole family has had free passes to museum exhibits, Omni (IMAX) movies, and planetarium shows. The girls also receive a 10% discount on anything they buy from the museum gift shop (science kits, nature books, posters, educational toys, etc.). For pulling extra duty during "Family Science Week" every year, they earn free trips with the science club. (Kids who don't volunteer have to pay their own expenses.) When Hunter volunteered at the public library, any overdue book fines he incurred were waived and he could reserve books free or get them through ILL at no charge. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the perks really add up. Who's got more examples of this principle at work? It would be fun to hear them all! Cerelle ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: The kids can help cut educational costs, too! AUTHOR: Karen Lee DATE: Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 12:18 p.m. Response To: The kids can help cut educational costs, too! Author: Cerelle Date: Saturday, 9 January 1999, at 10:09 p.m. 13 yod vols at City Museum, gets free admission. She also vols for a no-kill animal rescue place, gets dog food, dog bed, etc. Volunteering at the pre-sort stage for a book fair gets us books for 25 cents each (during the SORT stage, which is the "best pickin's"). 13 yo, 14 yod, and I have all vol'd there. ======================================== MESSAGE: Also junk food costs... AUTHOR: Lee DATE: Sunday, 10 January 1999, at 1:35 p.m. Response To: The kids can help cut educational costs, too! Author: Cerelle Date: Saturday, 9 January 1999, at 10:09 p.m. Ds working at McDonald's closing shift often brings home leftover apple pies and stuff. One night he brought home a pizza. The pizza place next door to FatMac's gave it to him. And of course, he gets a free meal every day he works. > The thread about free Internet > access brought this to mind -- when > the kids are old enough to do volunteer > work, their "free" labor can > really add up to family savings. > Examples: > We enjoyed free Internet access > for several years, simply because Ariel > volunteered one day a week at our ISP's > offices. Neat trick, huh? > Ever since my daughters became > museum volunteers, the whole family > has had free passes to museum exhibits, > Omni (IMAX) movies, and planetarium > shows. The girls also receive a 10% > discount on anything they buy from the > museum gift shop (science kits, nature > books, posters, educational toys, etc.). > For pulling extra duty during "Family > Science Week" every year, they > earn free trips with the science club. > (Kids who don't volunteer have to pay > their own expenses.) > When Hunter volunteered at the > public library, any overdue book fines > he incurred were waived and he could > reserve books free or get them through > ILL at no charge. > I guess what I'm trying to say > is that the perks really add up. Who's > got more examples of this principle > at work? It would be fun to hear them > all! > Cerelle ======================================== MESSAGE: I think *real* library tape is acid-free AUTHOR: Catherine DATE: Monday, 11 January 1999, at 7:10 a.m. Response To: Re: I like to reinforce the spines of mass market paper backs Author: Katherine Date: Tuesday, 5 January 1999, at 6:10 a.m. So the re-inforcement will last the life of the child. It's worth the extra cost, it's even worth the trip to Scholar's Choice (edu. supplier). > With wide clear tape. I use packaging > tape, but real library tape is much > nicer. (Also about 6Xs the price.) The > tape along the spine helps save the > binding from those little thumb tears > and the books remain "nicer" > for the next reader. It also helps prevent > older and used books from falling apart. > > ======================================== MESSAGE: Another thing I do for curriculum.... AUTHOR: Sis DATE: Tuesday, 12 January 1999, at 5:11 p.m. I might take on a special paying job for a few weeks (like babysitting or census worker or fill in for somebody cleaning somewhere). I keep that money strictly for school. I was able to buy all that I needed and most of what I WANTED last year because I babysat thru the summer. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Another thing I do for curriculum.... AUTHOR: Mellisa DATE: Tuesday, 12 January 1999, at 9:00 p.m. Response To: Another thing I do for curriculum.... Author: Sis Date: Tuesday, 12 January 1999, at 5:11 p.m. I worked for the census in 1998 and plan to again in the spring. If anyone is looking for extra money I would definately recommend doing the census. The pay is good & you can work your own hours. I'll use the money I make in the spring to pay for next years curriculum. > I might take on a special paying > job for a few weeks (like babysitting > or census worker or fill in for somebody > cleaning somewhere). I keep that money > strictly for school. I was able to buy > all that I needed and most of what I > WANTED last year because I babysat thru > the summer. ======================================== MESSAGE: ? about census work AUTHOR: Lee DATE: Wednesday, 13 January 1999, at 5:57 a.m. Response To: Re: Another thing I do for curriculum.... Author: Mellisa Date: Tuesday, 12 January 1999, at 9:00 p.m. Just what is involved in this and where does one apply for the job? > I worked for the census in 1998 > and plan to again in the spring. If > anyone is looking for extra money I > would definately recommend doing the > census. The pay is good & you can > work your own hours. I'll use the money > I make in the spring to pay for next > years curriculum. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: ? about census work AUTHOR: Mellisa DATE: Wednesday, 13 January 1999, at 8:03 a.m. Response To: ? about census work Author: Lee Date: Wednesday, 13 January 1999, at 5:57 a.m. The website for the United States Census Bureau is www.census.gov Visit the aite and select the regional office nearest your home. There are job listings, job descriptions and contact names/phone numbers. > Just what is involved in this and > where does one apply for the job? ======================================== MESSAGE: Activities/classes outside the home. AUTHOR: Heidi DATE: Thursday, 14 January 1999, at 6:48 p.m. I have decided to homeschool my daughter. She's just 2.5 yrs old right now. But, I'm the type of person that thinks early, I guess. We live in the city where there are many different classes and activities available for little ones. At this point I am just doing fun things at home with her. But in another year or two I am thinking I will want to expose her to a thing or two outside of the home. How do you keep yourself in check? I know that she doesn't "need" to be involved in all sorts of things. I know its probably more for my own enjoyment. I love doing things with her, trying new things. But, I don't want to get caught up and go overboard. Any suggestions on pacing yourself. There's just so many neat things to consider when its all in your hands. Have any of you struggled with this particular spending vacuum? ======================================== MESSAGE: Avoiding the trap AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Thursday, 14 January 1999, at 8:23 p.m. Response To: Activities/classes outside the home. Author: Heidi Date: Thursday, 14 January 1999, at 6:48 p.m. > We live in the > city where there are many different > classes and activities available for > little ones. At this point I am just > doing fun things at home with her. But > in another year or two I am thinking > I will want to expose her to a thing > or two outside of the home. How do you > keep yourself in check? We only get involved that are truly beneficial for our children. In other words, we do not get involved in outside activities for the sole purpose of "socialization". The activity has to be something our children like and it has to serve a purpose. There are wonderful organizations, like 4H for example, that do not cost money and if it does it will not break your budget. There are other activities such as gymnastics, music, etc. that tend to cost quite a bit. I think they are worth the expense if it truly interests the child. Personally, I would not enroll my children in these types of things unless they showed great interest. Giovanna ======================================== MESSAGE: Free Materials from Manufacturers AUTHOR: Clare DATE: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 10:37 p.m. We have gotten some interesting materials from all sorts of manufacturers. Once, for example, when we were getting ready to grow broomcorn with the goal of making our own brooms, we wrote to a large company that makes brooms and brushes asking if they had histroical info for us. They did. And they had posters, pamphlets, and some almost scholarly info to share. Another time, we wrote to a mine engineering business and they sent us a huge, laminated poster about all sorts of materials that are mined and how they are eventually used. Then there was the really fat packet of info from the rubber manufacturer. Again, wonderful, huge posters, pamphlets, many typed pages of information appropriate to all age/ ability levels, and even suggestions for experiments for extracting latex from our own native plants. I have the impression that a lot of businesses have packets of educational info ready to send out upon request. If you and your kids are curious about a product, just write to a manufacturer or two and see what you can come up with. We have been surprised again and again with the interesting stuff. ======================================== MESSAGE: College Auctions AUTHOR: Clare DATE: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 10:48 p.m. The state colleges where I live try to economize by putting up for auction things like computers, drafting tables, map cabinets, pianos, lab equipment, storage cabinets, chairs, desks, sound equipment, libray carts, etc when they are updating or replacing those items. We just call the public relations office of the nearest schools and ask them to send us a list of auction items for their next auction. We have picked up computers for as little as $20 and butcher block style table top for $5--a big piece that would have been several hundred dollars new. Here, bids are simply written down on a form when you go to view the auction items. They give you a call to notify you if you have been the high bidder. Usually, when we have won an auction at such low bids, we turned out to be the only bidders on the items. Tremendous bargains are to be had. ======================================== MESSAGE: Bus Fare and a Brown Bag Lunch AUTHOR: Clare DATE: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 11:00 p.m. Bus fare to get downtown and a brown bag lunch with a bottle of water from home are the only price for a day's real world civics lesson. Have you ever taken your kids to watch the goings on in a court room? Have they seen the room in City Hall where platte maps of the whole city are filed away in huge books and anyone can look up the history of the exchange of any given piece of land or any building? Do your kids have any idea what it is like to go into the local building permits office and apply for a permit to add a garage to the back of the lot? Do they know what the county health department labs do? Have they ever been to a session of the city council? There are tons of "lessons" to be had by actually going down to the local government offices. ======================================== MESSAGE: What About Radio? AUTHOR: Clare DATE: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 11:17 p.m. Do you purposefully make use of radio? We try to remember to catch "Science Friday" on our public radio station. We used to once in a while listen to "Bunny Ears Radio," a program in which classic stories were exceptionally well read for the audience. Sometimes (when the tone is not too much like that of people just shooting the breeze in a barroom) we will listen to "talk radio," but we don't know of anything of that ilk that is reliably good. I guess I even would include "Prairie Home Companion" and "Car Talk" as among educationally worthwhile radio programs. What else is good? ======================================== MESSAGE: Free Stuff for Kids AUTHOR: VickiC DATE: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 11:28 p.m. Response To: Free Materials from Manufacturers Author: Clare Date: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 10:37 p.m. Your post reminded me that the book, Free Stuff for Kids, is published annually. They publish offers for free samples, instructions, stickers, posters, etc. Great way to encourage kids to write. ======================================== MESSAGE: Frugality = using the resources others make available AUTHOR: VickiC DATE: Saturday, 16 January 1999, at 12:01 a.m. Response To: Frugality = using the resources you already have in plentiful supply Author: Cerelle Date: Thursday, 7 January 1999, at 5:42 a.m. It is a well known fact I used to go through the garbage cans after church dinners looking for items I could use at school. It got to the point where people would ask if I wanted anything before they tossed it. Let businesses and friends know what you're looking for. I've been "gifted" with everything from appliance boxes, tunafish cans, AAA travel guides and a set of encyclopedias to a carpet and sofa. I have, in fact, gone to the butcher not only for tallow, but for bones and cow eyes as well. Like they say, "One man's trash may be the another man's..." science lesson? ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Free Materials from Manufacturers AUTHOR: Cerelle DATE: Saturday, 16 January 1999, at 12:14 a.m. Response To: Free Materials from Manufacturers Author: Clare Date: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 10:37 p.m. That's the truth! We've gotten cool stuff this way, too -- absolutely free. One of our favorites was the package we got from some peanut growers' association, oddly enough. There was all sorts of interesting stuff in it. The Adopt-a-Whale packet led to an in-house campaign to determine which whale to adopt. (We still have the "Vote for Olympia" campaign button my daughter made. I ran across it just the other day -- what a memento!) Free Things for Teachers and Free Things for Kids were our sources for a lot of this stuff. Thanks for bringing that up, Vicki. But I also like the idea of just writing to various manufacturers and asking what they have to offer. Who knows what you'll find? Great post, Clare! Cerelle ======================================== MESSAGE: I know I 've posted before, BUT AUTHOR: Belinda DATE: Saturday, 16 January 1999, at 7:42 a.m. Response To: Free Materials from Manufacturers Author: Clare Date: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 10:37 p.m. I have a few pages of items that can be requested from different manufactures, businesses, and government resources at http://www.infinet.com/~baugust/freeoct.htm ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Bus Fare and a Brown Bag Lunch AUTHOR: Jolee F DATE: Saturday, 16 January 1999, at 8:50 a.m. Response To: Bus Fare and a Brown Bag Lunch Author: Clare Date: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 11:00 p.m. This is a great idea! We live in the state capital, so that adds to the possibilities! ======================================== MESSAGE: Adventures in Odyssey AUTHOR: Lee DATE: Saturday, 16 January 1999, at 9:12 a.m. Response To: What About Radio? Author: Clare Date: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 11:17 p.m. Our whole family, including dh, listens to that. > Do you purposefully make use of > radio? We try to remember to catch "Science > Friday" on our public radio station. > We used to once in a while listen to > "Bunny Ears Radio," a program > in which classic stories were exceptionally > well read for the audience. Sometimes > (when the tone is not too much like > that of people just shooting the breeze > in a barroom) we will listen to "talk > radio," but we don't know of anything > of that ilk that is reliably good. I > guess I even would include "Prairie > Home Companion" and "Car Talk" > as among educationally worthwhile radio > programs. What else is good? ======================================== MESSAGE: Oops: That's "Rabbit Ears Radio," not Bunny Ears (NT) AUTHOR: Clare DATE: Saturday, 16 January 1999, at 10:06 a.m. Response To: What About Radio? Author: Clare Date: Friday, 15 January 1999, at 11:17 p.m. NT ======================================== MESSAGE: Local historical societies AUTHOR: LIsa Torres DATE: Sunday, 17 January 1999, at 3:52 a.m. My high school age son joined the local historical society as part of his American History course. They meet regularly with a program from local history. He is developed a website for them, and is the webmaster. They are thrilled to have him (long hair, leather jacket, and all), even though he brought the average age of membership down by a decade or so just by joining! Each member is a wonderful resource on some aspect of local history, and the programs have involved field trips to local homes (some built in the preRevolutionary War period) and cemeteries, as well as other points of interest. ======================================== MESSAGE: Another Curriculum $$ Savings AUTHOR: Laurel, CA DATE: Sunday, 17 January 1999, at 6:07 p.m. Because we use a literature-based curriculum, I am always "on the hunt" for books. I carry my catalog with me and check off all the books already in our "library" and buy several years in advance when I can find paperbacks. One day I came up to the counter at the used book store with about 20 paperbacks and the clerk asked me if I was a teacher. Big gulp--well, yes, I am--at home. She said that counted and gave me a 20% discount on the USED books..Wow! It never hurts to ask. Now I ask everywhere. This weekend we went to the Long Beach Aquarium with my daughter's Brownie troop and I got a 20% discount on the items I purchased in the gift shop "for classroom use" (everything, IMHO). ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Another Curriculum $$ Savings AUTHOR: Allie DATE: Sunday, 17 January 1999, at 6:55 p.m. Response To: Another Curriculum $$ Savings Author: Laurel, CA Date: Sunday, 17 January 1999, at 6:07 p.m. > Because we use a literature-based > curriculum, I am always "on the > hunt" for books. I carry my catalog > with me and check off all the books > already in our "library" and > buy several years in advance when I > can find paperbacks. > One day I came up to the counter > at the used book store with about 20 > paperbacks and the clerk asked me if > I was a teacher. Big gulp--well, yes, > I am--at home. She said that counted > and gave me a 20% discount on the USED > books..Wow! It never hurts to ask. Now > I ask everywhere. This weekend we went > to the Long Beach Aquarium with my daughter's > Brownie troop and I got a 20% discount > on the items I purchased in the gift > shop "for classroom use" (everything, > IMHO). I also go to a used bookstore that gives me 20% discount, AND they give me 50% on used books. Barnes and Noble gives hsers a discount too. Wherever you go, ASK! My local library also has an ongoing used bookstore, I walked away with 7 huge boxes of children's classics for under 30$ one week. Let people know you teach! Allie ======================================== MESSAGE: Probably dumb luck..... AUTHOR: Pat DATE: Monday, 18 January 1999, at 6:37 a.m. I got extremely lucky when buying my curriculum.. The year before we "officially" started homeschooling, not one, but TWO local private schools closed. The first one had a garage sale type sale and I was able to get several things such as educational games(it was an alternative school) the second one had sales by appointment for homeschoolers..I went there twice and was able to get K-2 complete curriculums(minus 1 math book for 1st grade) including art books and bible study and flash cards and several teachers manuals for less than $150 total... If you ever see where a private school is closing..don't be shy about calling. They were more than happy to find someone that would use the stuff and able to supply dozens of homeschooling families with most of what they needed..in fact, the first school had so many highschool level books left over they gave them to the salvation army store..I've also had terrific luck at the garage sales of retired teachers...one was so happy to hear I was homeschooling she piled on all kinds of free things! Pat ======================================== MESSAGE: Gifts from the heart AUTHOR: clm DATE: Tuesday, 19 January 1999, at 11:35 a.m. I don't know if this is related but we have a large family and birthdays for the extended family are usually just acknowledged with a card..store bought at that...We decided to start making use of our projects completed in "art" and giving them as gifts. Now instead of the card my kids can give grandma a nice gift made by the grandkids own little hands. Sometimes it may be a group drawing placed in a thrift shop frame. Other times it may be a cute gingham topped mason jar with the inexpensive ingrediants for cookies ( home ec) ( to bake for them on a visit of course). Grandpa has gotten "decorated" containers for his workshop to hold small loose items..The ideas are endless and teach the kids that showing love and recognizing a special occaion does not mean spending a fortune. also it is allowing the kids to be creative. We always attach a brown craft paper tag with a verse of scripture or nice quote and the kids names telling the recipient that God loves them and so do they. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Gifts from the heart AUTHOR: Susan DATE: Tuesday, 19 January 1999, at 2:08 p.m. Response To: Gifts from the heart Author: clm Date: Tuesday, 19 January 1999, at 11:35 a.m. We love making our own cards and gifts, too! This is our first year homeschooling, and I am trying to integrate whatever we're studying into the cards and gifts we make. For instance, we're studying seasons, cold weather, and Civil War era lifestyles, so our activities have included making paper snowflakes (glued to dark construction paper, they make great fridge art for grandparents, uncles, aunts); dipping candles (classic gift ideas and great way to learn about paraffin/beeswax etc.); and crocheting (insulation/making your own clothes in old days). Well, our crocheting might not be gift-ready yet but I can see a time when placemats or small foot blankets would be inexpensive, fun gifts. For kids, we make birdfeeder pinecones (tie on string for hanging, then coat cone with peanut butter and roll in birdseed), and homemade art/craft kits which are WAY better and cheaper than sets sold in any store. (using small containers we fill from our economy size supplies) Recycled art--use the styrofoam produce trays to make scratch prints; or cut them into shapes and glue on jar tops or corks to make your own stamps. Save attractive cardboard boxes and make them into postcards and bookmarks... Some wrapping papers have great cut-out-able images for gluing onto construction paper--homemade cards. This got long! sorry--this topic is an inspiring one! Susan ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Probably dumb luck..... AUTHOR: Liz DATE: Tuesday, 19 January 1999, at 2:46 p.m. Response To: Probably dumb luck..... Author: Pat Date: Monday, 18 January 1999, at 6:37 a.m. I did the same thing. In fact I bought English books to take me through grade six. I have now used them in third and fourth grades. One year I made my own South Carolina unit study, incorporating a section on the area Indians. > I got extremely lucky when buying > my curriculum.. The year before we "officially" > started homeschooling, not one, but > TWO local private schools closed. The > first one had a garage sale type sale > and I was able to get several things > such as educational games(it was an > alternative school) the second one had > sales by appointment for homeschoolers..I > went there twice and was able to get > K-2 complete curriculums(minus 1 math > book for 1st grade) including art books > and bible study and flash cards and > several teachers manuals for less than > $150 total... If you ever see where > a private school is closing..don't be > shy about calling. They were more than > happy to find someone that would use > the stuff and able to supply dozens > of homeschooling families with most > of what they needed..in fact, the first > school had so many highschool level > books left over they gave them to the > salvation army store..I've also had > terrific luck at the garage sales of > retired teachers...one was so happy > to hear I was homeschooling she piled > on all kinds of free things! Pat ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Gifts from the heart AUTHOR: Patti Muma DATE: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 6:53 a.m. Response To: Gifts from the heart Author: clm Date: Tuesday, 19 January 1999, at 11:35 a.m. This is VERY related. Love & family are the heart of homeschool and giving is an extention of the heart! Somedays, our homeschool consist of a math lesson in baking, a writing lesson in letters to grandma, and phys. ed. in cleaning the barn for Dad! Thanks for your great gift ideas! > I don't know if this is related > but we have a large family and birthdays > for the extended family are usually > just acknowledged with a card..store > bought at that...We decided to start > making use of our projects completed > in "art" and giving them as > gifts. Now instead of the card my kids > can give grandma a nice gift made by > the grandkids own little hands. Sometimes > it may be a group drawing placed in > a thrift shop frame. Other times it > may be a cute gingham topped mason jar > with the inexpensive ingrediants for > cookies ( home ec) ( to bake for them > on a visit of course). Grandpa has gotten > "decorated" containers for > his workshop to hold small loose items..The > ideas are endless and teach the kids > that showing love and recognizing a > special occaion does not mean spending > a fortune. also it is allowing the kids > to be creative. We always attach a brown > craft paper tag with a verse of scripture > or nice quote and the kids names telling > the recipient that God loves them and > so do they. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Activities/classes outside the home. AUTHOR: mamama DATE: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 10:27 a.m. Response To: Activities/classes outside the home. Author: Heidi Date: Thursday, 14 January 1999, at 6:48 p.m. I don't find that my daughter (age 5) has made any "friends " per say in her dance and gymnastics classes. They seem to be just drop off type activities for parents. Join a homeschool group early on. There are alot of families with little ones. Fieldtrips and playgroups with other homeschool families even at this preschool age are strongly recommended by me ( and keep costs down). School headed children and working moms will get scarce by age 4 or 5 so get hooked up early with other homeschool families. I homepreschooled too. Dive into your family. > daughter. She's just 2.5 yrs old right > now. But, I'm the type of person that > thinks early, I guess. We live in the > city where there are many different > classes and activities available for > little ones. At this point I am just > doing fun things at home with her. But > in another year or two I am thinking > I will want to expose her to a thing > or two outside of the home. How do you > keep yourself in check? I know that > she doesn't "need" to be involved > in all sorts of things. I know its probably > more for my own enjoyment. I love doing > things with her, trying new things. > But, I don't want to get caught up and > go overboard. Any suggestions on pacing > yourself. There's just so many neat > things to consider when its all in your > hands. Have any of you struggled with > this particular spending vacuum? ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Activities/classes outside the home. AUTHOR: Jennifer Neal DATE: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 10:49 a.m. Response To: Activities/classes outside the home. Author: Heidi Date: Thursday, 14 January 1999, at 6:48 p.m. I'm still doing the "oh, that looks neat. I'll bet the kids would love this" thing. But, I've learned (on the topic of frugality) that there are so many neat things that don't cost a dime. The following address will get you about 3 different coloring books and 3 or 4 stickers by requesting: US Dept. Of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin. National Sanctuary Program Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Nat'l Marine Sanc. MauiOffice 726 South kihei Road Kihei, HI 96753-9049 (That's a long address.) Now to give credit where credit is due, I learned of this on The Homeschool Daily website. There are so many free things, that I must have ordered almost every post (my hubby is a mailman, so for the sake of our mail lady, he put up an extra big mailbox to hold things. Keeps her from having to drive up to the house and try to get me out the door:). Everyone should, who hasn't, visit the site. I have received info on NASA, Endangered Animals, Diabetic Eye Disease with a student study guide, posters, calendars, and the list goes on. The calendars are great for my relatives that like just the type I've ordered (i.e. birds, dogs, religious). They make great birthday presents. There are also videos. So, rather than me buying every thing that looks neat, I first check the above site to see if I can maybe find it at no cost. :) ======================================== MESSAGE: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? AUTHOR: Lesley DATE: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. I curious about this, since part of being frugal is making those truly worthwhile investments. Has anyone out there spent a good amount of money on something that was worth it in every way? Lesley ======================================== MESSAGE: our computer!!! AUTHOR: Laura in SC DATE: Thursday, 21 January 1999, at 6:50 a.m. Response To: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? Author: Lesley Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. The purchase of this computer (and internet access) were something of "splurges" for us. But, I have gained so much: this board, and others, for ideas; this board, and others, for support; on line lesson plans; on line access to our public library; unlimited research capabilities; vast array of educational programs (we frequently borrow from the library; probably more I'm not thinking of right now. I truly don't know how we'd homeschool without it! Laura ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Activities/classes outside the home. AUTHOR: Pat DATE: Thursday, 21 January 1999, at 7:56 a.m. Response To: Re: Activities/classes outside the home. Author: mamama Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 10:27 a.m. I think the dance thing kinda depends on what type of place the lessons are from though....my sister sends her daughter to a large place where kids come and go and she only has the same kids in her class occasionally..same when I took my daughter to the Y for classes.. Now she goes to a small to medium sized dance school.She has been going there for 5 yrs(she's 7 now)and can think of several girls that have been going the same amount of time there. She has became very close with several of them and has gone to b-day parties ect. for them...There are also several older girls that kinda take the littlier ones under their wings.. On the down side though it does get expensive..they tend to add more classes every year when they've been in it for awhile and it really adds up. I can't say as I'd recomend it as "socialization". My daughter really really loves dance(and especially performing) and making friends was just an added bonus for her. she was also in 4-H "cloverbuds"(5-7yr olds) but few groups have added that around here and the club that sponsered ours folded :-( My sister's town has a big park district that has several things for younger children to do together..maybe that's an option if your town is bigger? ======================================== MESSAGE: Same here! AUTHOR: Susan M DATE: Thursday, 21 January 1999, at 11:20 a.m. Response To: our computer!!! Author: Laura in SC Date: Thursday, 21 January 1999, at 6:50 a.m. > The purchase of this computer (and > internet access) were something of "splurges" > for us. But, I have gained so much: > I saved up birthday and Christmas money for three years, then finally convinced dh--who thought we didn't need a computer--to take some extra from savings. We have never regretted it for a moment. That was two and a half years ago. Now we are BOTH saving up for a new one--they do get outdated so fast!! :-( We have loved it for educational games and word processing--the boys are much more willing to write with the computer than by hand--as well as the Internet. It would be worth it for the homeschooling support alone, however. Love this board!! Susan M ======================================== MESSAGE: . . . and state historical societies too! AUTHOR: LeighLee DATE: Thursday, 21 January 1999, at 11:20 a.m. Response To: Local historical societies Author: LIsa Torres Date: Sunday, 17 January 1999, at 3:52 a.m. While studying state history, we joined the state historical society through a local historical site for only $50 a year. This allowed us free intermission into all the state sites as many times as desired. Some of the highlights were going to baseball games played by 1800's rules, riding a horse drawn wagon complete with sleigh bells through a restored village during Christmas season and a Civil War era fourth of July picnic and celebration. Once the original fee is paid, the rest is like a year of free field-trips. LeighLee ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? AUTHOR: Mellisa DATE: Thursday, 21 January 1999, at 12:13 p.m. Response To: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? Author: Lesley Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. Our computer!!! We've had it 1 1/2 years and the letters are starting to wear off the keys already. I also spent $30 on a really great day planner/organizer that I use to schedule lessons and field trips and keep all phone numbers and websites listed alphabetically by subject. Oh - and a vibrating foot soak so when I've had a really busy and stressful day I can soak my feet while reading Kaleidoscapes! > I curious about this, since part > of being frugal is making those truly > worthwhile investments. Has anyone out > there spent a good amount of money on > something that was worth it in every > way? > Lesley ======================================== MESSAGE: Family membership AUTHOR: Laura in SC DATE: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 2:44 a.m. Response To: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? Author: Lesley Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. We purchased a family membership to our local zoo. Not only do we get in for free anytime, but it also allows us to get into many other places as well, all over the country. We live in SC, but were able to use it at the zoo when we visited my parents in CA. And, they even let my Dad in free, too, since my husband wasn't with us. And once you're in, it is often good for discounts at the gift shop (lots of educational stuff there, as my boys like to point out ). Laura ======================================== MESSAGE: no cost art samples AUTHOR: leslie DATE: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 3:55 a.m. At least no *extra* cost since we'd get this even if we didn't hs. I have started saving the back cover from the Reader's Digests, and filing them. This gives us a variety of art styles and artists which I can pull out whenever we are dicussing these areas. I am planning to also pull out the word definition sections in the future for vocabulary. Right now most of the words are above ds' vocab level. ======================================== MESSAGE: We do this too! AUTHOR: Penni Hill DATE: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 6:07 a.m. Response To: no cost art samples Author: leslie Date: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 3:55 a.m. It's great to hear someone else uses Reader's Digest art, too! I tear off the art on the back cover, put them onto acid free paper with glue strips (I center it to look like matting), slip them into acid free page protectors, and place the page in a binder. They are easy to view, handle, and study this way and it makes a great "art book". Penni > At least no *extra* cost since > we'd get this even if we didn't hs. > I have started saving the back cover > from the Reader's Digests, and filing > them. This gives us a variety of art > styles and artists which I can pull > out whenever we are dicussing these > areas. I am planning to also pull out > the word definition sections in the > future for vocabulary. Right now most > of the words are above ds' vocab level. > ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? AUTHOR: Lisa M DATE: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 9:06 a.m. Response To: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? Author: Lesley Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. Yes!! My husband came home with a Xerox Copier 1 12/ years ago!! I was upset at first..we couldn't afford it..but he got it in the "scratch and dent" section of Sam's Club for 1/3 of the original cost!. Well, it didn't work too well, so we called Xerox (since the warranty was still good) and they sent us a *new* replacement!! It has been the *best* purchase we have made! It has really made homeschooling easier!! Blessings! > I curious about this, since part > of being frugal is making those truly > worthwhile investments. Has anyone out > there spent a good amount of money on > something that was worth it in every > way? > Lesley ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: no cost art samples AUTHOR: Gayle DATE: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 9:38 p.m. Response To: no cost art samples Author: leslie Date: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 3:55 a.m. I do this, too! Mine aren't as well-organized as Penni's! There is often a paragraph or half page of information about the artist toward the back of the magazine. I save the Word Power pages, also...it's a great way to improve my vocabulary, too. ======================================== MESSAGE: Has anyone mentioned book signings? AUTHOR: Judy in TN DATE: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 8:22 a.m. Friday one of the area big bookstores is having a free half hour talk on writing tips that one would never learn in the classroom. I plan to take ds to that. We went to a book signing for a Star Wars trivia book once, and it was great. The author let people try to win one by answering trivia questions. It was freaky all the obscure things my kid knew. He won a signed copy, and the author's admiration!! The best part was that on the way home, my child commented on how "normal" the guy was. He said that authors were really just people like him. I believe he came away with a lot more confidence that he could become an author. ======================================== MESSAGE: Another source of "no extra" cost Art Prints... AUTHOR: Barb K (Hs-ing in Southern Maine) DATE: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 9:32 a.m. Response To: no cost art samples Author: leslie Date: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 3:55 a.m. Another EXCELLENT source of art prints... Homeschooling Today magazine always carries a famous painting (or sculpture, etc.) in the center of each issue. There's a lesson plan that goes with the print, and it's printed on higher quality paper than the rest of the magazine. I always remove the picture/lesson, put it in an acid-free sheet protector (like Penni does), and file them in a binder! It's been great for our family's art history lessons! (We get the magazine anyway, so I'm not spending extra for it...) ======================================== MESSAGE: GREAT Source of "cheap" arts/crafts supplies! AUTHOR: Barb K (Hs-ing in Southern Maine) DATE: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 9:40 a.m. Hey! We've discovered a GREAT place to get arts and crafts supplies...CHEAP! Our city has a non-profit group called "The Creative Resource Center" which collects useable scrap stuff from corporations and small companies around the city. Then, they sort through all this stuff, and sell it for really cheap. We get canvas by the pound, really fine paper by the pound, pre-cut mat boards for about $.10 each. They have plastic rings, all kinds of bottles (great for glue, paint, water, or other stuff), plastic buckets and cups of all shapes and sizes, fleece pieces (we bought a 10-pound bag of fleece scraps for $.35!!), yarn. Well... there's just too much to name. But, you get the point. Check with your local school district, or chamber of commerce to see if there's a place like this near you! (If not, perhaps you can solicit donations from plastics companies, or other businesses in your area!) Also, ask at the local hardware for old wallpaper books. They usually throw these away when they get updated books, and wallpaper samples make GREAT papers for all kinds of artsy projects. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: GREAT Source of "cheap" arts/crafts supplies! AUTHOR: DianeZ DATE: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 10:49 a.m. Response To: GREAT Source of "cheap" arts/crafts supplies! Author: Barb K (Hs-ing in Southern Maine) Date: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 9:40 a.m. Where we live, there is a resource called "The Recycling Center" where they rescue everything from milk jugs and egg cartons to fabric to yarn to old craft books ... the place is jammed from top to bottom with supplies.. and everything there is ... FREE! I'm like a kid in a candy store in there. I try to restrain myself however since I never get to all the projects that I have planned. I have a feeling there are many more of these type of places out there. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: GREAT Source of "cheap" arts/crafts supplies! AUTHOR: KIM DATE: Monday, 25 January 1999, at 8:16 a.m. Response To: Re: GREAT Source of "cheap" arts/crafts supplies! Author: DianeZ Date: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 10:49 a.m. The Imagination Market ! :-) They don't have it where *I* live- but they have it in the city. My sil and I went a couple years ago and it was SO great ! I got stickers and stamps of every variety, marble and old counter top "blocks " in every size and shape, cloth with sticker back, cardstock to do stamping on ... all manner of COOL stuff ! Oh- plastic letters and numbers- because I was a homeschool mom I got to shop in the teacher section :-) I want to go back !! ======================================== MESSAGE: Yet another source of "no extra" cost Art Prints... AUTHOR: Catherine DATE: Monday, 25 January 1999, at 9:18 a.m. Response To: Another source of "no extra" cost Art Prints... Author: Barb K (Hs-ing in Southern Maine) Date: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 9:32 a.m. If you need two copies of a print for "Mommy, it's a Renoir", look for art museum brochures. Often they will have at least one print big enough to use. If you're at a tourist info centre, it's surprising how many art brochures they have. For single copies, I always keep an eye out for Christmas cards ... and I have a friend who gives us back issues of Smithsonian magazine. Between that, and the fact that another friend let me read the book "Mommy it's a Renoir", I put together an art appreciation program at virtually no cost. I did buy several shabby art books at garage sales for 25 cents apiece and dissected them for art prints. ======================================== MESSAGE: Actually my dad bought it but... AUTHOR: Catherine DATE: Monday, 25 January 1999, at 9:31 a.m. Response To: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? Author: Lesley Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. I would have bought one last year if I knew. Even my husband says he doesn't know how we ever got along without our colour scanner. We have had it for one month and got so much use out of it for school. Even my 18yo dd in public highschool finds it indispensable. It colour copies straight to the printer so we don't have to mangle National Geographics to get a semi-acceptable picture for a project when there's a wonderful picture in a book. The projects my 9yo son has been inspired to do are great. Saves my time trying to find a picture to print off the Net; Black and white photo copies without driving into town (15 miles); And I haven't even scratched the surface of the possibilities. Planning to print out all our old family photos and do a history project with the kids next. Catherine in rural Ontario ======================================== MESSAGE: Something I've been doing AUTHOR: Bonnie DATE: Tuesday, 26 January 1999, at 5:16 a.m. Response To: no cost art samples Author: leslie Date: Friday, 22 January 1999, at 3:55 a.m. I found some great sites which are packed with paintings (we are looking at Van Gogh since that was so recently here at the National). I pick one off a week as our desktop wallpaper and either tell the kids what the name/artist is - or have them search it out for some kind of small reward (I have my bookmarks on disk so they can't find it that way!). Here are a few of my favorites: Van Gogh - http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/main_az.html Georgia O'Keefe - http://www.netins.net/showcase/reading/okgal.html Monet - http://webpages.marshall.edu/~smith82/monet.html Cassatt - http://metalab.unc.edu/louvre/paint/auth/cassatt ======================================== MESSAGE: Baltimore AUTHOR: Bonnie DATE: Tuesday, 26 January 1999, at 5:18 a.m. Response To: GREAT Source of "cheap" arts/crafts supplies! Author: Barb K (Hs-ing in Southern Maine) Date: Sunday, 24 January 1999, at 9:40 a.m. The Maryland Committee for Children runs (or they did a few years ago) a similar shop in Baltimore. Bonnie > Hey! We've discovered a GREAT place > to get arts and crafts supplies...CHEAP! > Our city has a non-profit group called > "The Creative Resource Center" > which collects useable scrap stuff from > corporations and small companies around > the city. Then, they sort through all > this stuff, and sell it for really cheap. > > We get canvas by the pound, really > fine paper by the pound, pre-cut mat > boards for about $.10 each. They have > plastic rings, all kinds of bottles > (great for glue, paint, water, or other > stuff), plastic buckets and cups of > all shapes and sizes, fleece pieces > (we bought a 10-pound bag of fleece > scraps for $.35!!), yarn. Well... there's > just too much to name. But, you get > the point. > Check with your local school district, > or chamber of commerce to see if there's > a place like this near you! (If not, > perhaps you can solicit donations from > plastics companies, or other businesses > in your area!) > Also, ask at the local hardware > for old wallpaper books. They usually > throw these away when they get updated > books, and wallpaper samples make GREAT > papers for all kinds of artsy projects. > > ======================================== MESSAGE: Science for Everybody!! AUTHOR: Jody C. DATE: Tuesday, 26 January 1999, at 6:18 p.m. Dear Friends, I just found a great web site for every kind of science project (and the instructions) you could imagine! Also, there are links to different science magazines, museums, clubs and more. I recently visited it and found a project for my 15yo son...Electrostatic Motor--a simple sensative voltage motor using 2-liter soda bottles. There's everything from a parts list, instructions, why make one?, to debugging it. He's really excited. Go to: www.eskimo.com/~billb/amateur/coolsci.html This site is called Cool Science and there truly is everything "cool" there. Have fun!! Jody ======================================== MESSAGE: Christian Home Educator's Electronic Convention (CHEEC) AUTHOR: Cheryl KR DATE: Tuesday, 26 January 1999, at 6:22 p.m. Can't afford to go to some of the conventions? Here are several (and more in the works) from people that most home schoolers have heard of. I have enjoyed them! You must have Real Audio to hear them. http://www.cheec.com/ Hope others enjoy it too! ======================================== MESSAGE: The best study Bible you can find. AUTHOR: Patti Muma DATE: Wednesday, 27 January 1999, at 3:17 a.m. Response To: Is there something that you *did* splurge on that's been worth every penny? Author: Lesley Date: Wednesday, 20 January 1999, at 7:56 p.m. I really feel the Bible is the most important and time worthy book in our homeschool. My dd's Adventure Bible was less than $20 and is wonderful for science, reading, memorization and history. Full of maps and extras *plus* God's word(which is the conerstone and base for our homeschool) a great bible can never be too expensive! > I curious about this, since part > of being frugal is making those truly > worthwhile investments. Has anyone out > there spent a good amount of money on > something that was worth it in every > way? > Lesley ======================================== MESSAGE: Probably all of you ladies know this one... Nearly free geography lessons :-) AUTHOR: Kim from sidetracks DATE: Wednesday, 27 January 1999, at 7:46 a.m. Get involved with foreign missions. I know- I must be slow to not clue into this sooner ! I have found out how much you can learn about geography and topography, political climate, what the locals wear and eat (or don't !)- things that you just can't find in books. I have also discovered that quite young children can manage this, too. Chosing things (decision making skills), purchasing (math skills),letter writing, stewardship, weighing in at the post office =8-0. Far more interesting and educational (and cheaper!) than sitting in a stuffy class and being bored by geography instead of set on fire by it ! :-) Oh and penpals in other countries- also good and nearly free (it's $0.90/ letter here for international) geography, etc. ;-) ======================================== MESSAGE: And here's the link for LINK International.... AUTHOR: Lee DATE: Thursday, 28 January 1999, at 7:41 a.m. Response To: Probably all of you ladies know this one... Nearly free geography lessons :-) Author: Kim from sidetracks Date: Wednesday, 27 January 1999, at 7:46 a.m. This is for homeschoolers to link them with Christians around the world. It is free and not only gives kids an understanding of the problems of Christians in countries where Christianity is not welcome, but also helps them learn about the geography and culture. http://www.vom.org/resource/link.html > Get involved with foreign missions. > I know- I must be slow to not clue into > this sooner ! I have found out how much > you can learn about geography and topography, > political climate, what the locals wear > and eat (or don't !)- things that you > just can't find in books. I have also > discovered that quite young children > can manage this, too. Chosing things > (decision making skills), purchasing > (math skills),letter writing, stewardship, > weighing in at the post office =8-0. > Far more interesting and educational > (and cheaper!) than sitting in a stuffy > class and being bored by geography instead > of set on fire by it ! :-) Oh and penpals > in other countries- also good and nearly > free (it's $0.90/ letter here for international) > geography, etc. ;-) ======================================== MESSAGE: Donation Depot for New Hampshire residents AUTHOR: Ann ZS DATE: Thursday, 28 January 1999, at 4:10 p.m. is located in Manchester. It accepts donations of *everything* from corporations and gives it to non profits and homeschoolers. You need to bring proof of hs status, as in a letter from your SAU and a letter saying you'll only use materials received there for hsing. THey have a web site, just go to your search engine and type in Donation Depot. I think it's open every friday. I haven't been there yet, but hear its popular. Peace in CHrist Ann ======================================== MESSAGE: One Income Living in a Two Income World AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Friday, 29 January 1999, at 10:32 a.m. Enjoy! http://member.aol.com/DSimple/index.html ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Science/Nature STudy AUTHOR: Giovanna DATE: Friday, 29 January 1999, at 11:21 a.m. Response To: Science/Nature STudy Author: Jody C. Date: Friday, 1 January 1999, at 7:12 p.m. > Dear all, > Speaking of being thrifty...why > not observe and record nature for your > science. I'm of the Charlotte Mason > Homeschool Theology and nature study > is a regular part of our homeschooling > curricula. YES! Charlotte Mason believed that all elementary school science could be done by exploring NATURE. And you know? NATURE is all around you. All you need to invest in is a magnifying glass and by using the resources available at your public libary you can have a complete science curriculum. Very little money involved! Here are some links with more information: http://members.aol.com/BeeME1/nature.html http://www.home-school.com/Articles/NatureNotebook.html For an overview of the Charlotte Mason approach go here: http://members.aol.com/BEEME1/index.html ======================================== MESSAGE: Tightwad Gazette AUTHOR: Melinda S. DATE: Friday, 29 January 1999, at 7:11 p.m. I just found a three in one volume on the _Tightwad Gazette_ at Sam's Club for $12.99. I have seen these being offered in the seperate volumes on swap boards but wasn't willing to spend the money. Then I looked at the 3 in 1 book at Sam's and couldn't resist. There are so many ideas in this book. Every time I read a couple of pages I find something new to try. So many ideas for everything. Just thought I would pass this along. God Bless. In Christ, Melinda S. ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Actually my dad bought it but... AUTHOR: Debby DATE: Saturday, 30 January 1999, at 11:24 a.m. Response To: Actually my dad bought it but... Author: Catherine Date: Monday, 25 January 1999, at 9:31 a.m. I'm researching scanners right now to buy. I think it will be a wonderful investment for us. What kind did you get that prints right to the printer? They don't all do that , do they? Debby ======================================== MESSAGE: Re: Actually my dad bought it but... AUTHOR: Catherine DATE: Saturday, 30 January 1999, at 2:38 p.m. Response To: Re: Actually my dad bought it but... Author: Debby Date: Saturday, 30 January 1999, at 11:24 a.m. Debby: > What kind did you get that prints > right to the printer? They don't all > do that , do they? Since we have an HP printer, we got an HP scanner. Dad figured that the software interface would be very good and we did like the scan-to-printer feature. There are so many features and such a great price range, it is worthwhile to get one of the PC magazine reviews out of the library and line up all the charts to see which one has the features you want. Good luck and enjoy! I'm getting into creating a Christmas scrapbook for each of the kids and throwing out the messy binder crammed with cards and clippings. It's fun. C. ========================================Back to the TopBack to the Digest Index