School is probably already underway for most families, and the deadline for ordering curriculum may have passed. This is my first year as a committed homeschooler, though, so it’s taken me a little longer to sort through options and make decisions. As a result, I’m a bit behind on ordering—yet I’ve learned a lot while researching.
After talking with friends and reading trusted blogs, and remembering that my own mother used it when I was in grade school, we decided to use Sonlight curriculum for most subjects (at least for now). We’ll begin by finishing Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons, then move into the Sonlight programs.
Initially I almost skipped Teach Your Child To Read because friends had very mixed opinions—some loved it, some hated it, and others were neutral. A friend lent me her copy, though, and Garrett responded well to it, so it’s staying in our rotation.
One major reason we chose Sonlight is their carefully curated book lists. Reading is such a powerful tool for learning, and I want my children to develop a deep love for high-quality books. The downside is the price: complete curriculum packages can be expensive.
Very quickly I discovered that buying directly from Sonlight is often more costly than shopping elsewhere. Many titles were substantially cheaper on other retail sites, and sometimes searching for a single book revealed entire grade-level lists in the results. Beyond big retailers, there are several practical ways to trim expenses when assembling your homeschool library.
I respect the time and effort companies put into bundling curriculum, but I can’t justify paying significantly more when the same resources are available for less.
How To save Money on Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum
- Frequent the library. This is the simplest and most cost-effective strategy. Borrow as many titles as you can for each unit. When I was a child, my mom visited multiple local libraries to complete our reading lists—we spent hours browsing and borrowing and loved it.
- Join local homeschool Facebook groups. Many groups are set up for book swaps or sales. You can often find instructor guides and Sonlight-specific titles at steep discounts if you’re open to used copies.
- Ask local homeschoolers directly. Parents who are finished with a grade often sell or give away books. Posting in community groups or asking at co-ops can score great finds.
- Use thrift book sellers. Stores like ThriftBooks offer deeply discounted used titles. My first order there averaged about $3 per book, and orders over a small threshold often qualify for free shipping—an easy way to save.
- Choose eBooks when available. Digital editions are frequently much cheaper than print. You don’t need an eReader—apps for phones, tablets, or computers make eBooks accessible and budget-friendly.
- Search auction and resale sites. eBay and other marketplaces host many homeschool sellers moving entire sets or individual books at reduced prices.
- Check local classifieds. Sites like Craigslist can be hit-or-miss, but when sellers list curriculum sets, you can find substantial bargains.
- Try hyper-local selling apps. Platforms focused on neighborhood buying and selling often have excellent deals nearby, making pickup easy and avoiding shipping costs.
When my husband and I first talked about having children, we prioritized frugal living and saving so we could later invest in things we value—education being near the top of the list. That intentional, disciplined approach helped us build resources while keeping monthly expenses sensible.
Being diligent about saving and comparing options has made it clear that education doesn’t have to break the bank. With a mix of used books, library loans, eBooks, and local swaps, you can assemble high-quality homeschool materials without paying full price—most of the time there’s a cheaper, practical option.