How to Buy Used Homeschool Curriculum

Some extent of curriculum is a necessity in most home schools. While necessary, curriculum is also expensive. Buying used materials is a great way to save money, however, it can also cost more in the long run if you don’t buy wisely. Here are some tips for buying used curriculum.

-Always ask the exact cost of shipping before you commit to buying. If you must pay $3.00 to ship a $.75 paperback reader, beware. Always check the price of the book new at discount bookstores such as Overstock.com. Remember, home educators are eligible for educator discounts at most chain bookstores (see a list Here.

-Buy in lots. Buying in quantity from one seller saves you shipping costs, with many sellers paying the shipping cost.

-Have your items shipped via media mail. Books, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and other educational materials can be sent at a cheaper postal rate. Ask for it!

-Don’t pay multiple shipping fees. If you purchase multiple items online and have to pay a separate shipping fee for each item, you aren’t saving money.

-Ask around locally. Perhaps someone in your local support group has a copy that they no longer use.

-Only buy items with a complete description. Find out if the book is written in (ink or pencil), if the binding is sturdy, if there are water marks or musty smells, if the previous owners smoked, if there is cover wear, etc.

When you begin your search for used materials you will be bombarded with unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. Here is a list of some you might see.

consumable – item must be written in, buy one for each student
IG – instructor guide
HB/HC – hard back/cover
PB – paperback
LN – like new
CW – cover wear
PPD – postage paid (price includes postage)
LA – language arts

Some specific curriculum abbreviations:
MUS – Math U See
FIAR – Five in a Row
SOS – Switched On Schoolhouse
AO – Alpha-Omega
SL – Sonlight
CM – Charlotte Mason influence
SOTW – Story of the World
TWTM – The Well Trained Mind

Following are a few of the places online where you can find used curriculum.
http://www.ebay.com
http://www.half.com
http://www.vegsource.com/homeschool
http://homeschoolbid.com/
http://www.homeschoolusedbooks.com/

New to Homeschooling?
Take a look at my ebook
Homeschooling With Confidence: A Plain English Guide to Homeschooling in the United States