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| Date: From: Subject: | 5/17/2012 9:29:05 AM Vicki Bentley--HSLDA Toddlers to Tweens--Navigating the Used Curriculum Route |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Toddlers to Tweens Newsletter May 2012--Navigating the Used Curriculum Route ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---[ Encouragement and support right in your home ]------------------- You can hear from top speakers like Lou Priolo. Dianne Craft, and John Rosemond in your home, at your convenience. Check out HSLDA's @home e-vents! http://www.hslda.org/alink.asp?id=483 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friend, I shared in recent newsletters how to homeschool on a shoestring budget http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14717 , focusing in each issue on a different academic subject. This month, we'll look at how to str-e-e-etch that budget by purchasing used materials. Buying used curriculum is sort of like taking a shortcut when I drive: if I am familiar with the area through which I'm being re-routed, I can save some time; but if I get lost trying to take a shortcut, I may end up woefully behind! By the same token, I can really stretch my homeschool budget by finding great used-curriculum values. Yet I haven't effectively saved money if a particular pre-owned purchase is not the wisest choice for my family. Here are some ways to "know the shortcuts" when navigating the used curriculum options, and save in the long run. SET GOALS Have a list of the goals http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14718 you have set for your children. Know what you are looking for and why, whether new or used. Keeping those objectives in front of you as you shop can help you select bargain items that will best meet your needs for the year. MAKE A LIST Shopping without a list can be just as disastrous on the swap boards or in the resale shop as it can be in the grocery store! Make a list of the items in which you are most interested, with several alternative selections noted. Having a second or third choice pre-selected helps me to think quickly at a yard sale or curriculum swap. I make a list of all the topics we're covering this year in our units or texts so I can stay focused on my more immediate needs, and I can better resist the temptation to snatch up a bargain that won't really be useful to me for another year or two. BE SPECIFIC Specific titles are very useful, if possible. One year I accidentally purchased three "different" copies of the same well-known science book because the publisher had changed the cover several times, and I didn't recognize the title as a book I'd already purchased! KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE Consider your own teaching style http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14719 and your children's learning styles http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14720 . Just because something was recommended by a friend and is 50% off doesn't mean you will be comfortable using it or your kids will "get it." On the other hand, this may be a good time to try something new, when it isn't a tremendous monetary investment. KNOW THE PRICES Do some research to familiarize yourself with the retail prices so you'll be better able to recognize a bargain. I go through my catalogs http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14721 and mark prices on my wish list so I'll know who sells which items for what prices. That way, I'll know if a used item is enough of a reduction to warrant not getting it new. Also, ask around to determine what sort of discount would be considered fair in the used market for the particular items you need. A reference book that might not often be found in the used market can command a price closer to retail than can a book that parents sell off regularly to buy the next grade level. Know what you are willing to pay. KNOW THE PUBLISHERS Some publishers make such minor changes in books from time to time that an older edition may work fine for your purposes. Other times, the books may have been revised enough that other materials with which you have to coordinate them (workbook, teacher's manual, quizzes, etc.) may no longer be compatible. When "new models" come out, call the publisher and ask about both the extent of the revisions and how compatible your other components will now be. LOOK AT THE DATES Check the copyright dates in the books. Determine if you are willing to go with a little older book in some subjects (say, history or art or language) to be able to splurge for the latest in science or computer technology. Publishing dates can be important if you already have three parts of your XYZ history program and just need another set of tests and quizzes, while you may be more than willing to settle for a five-year-old set of World Book encyclopedias for $5 at a library sale instead of shelling out more money for the newest version. BE CREATIVE We have picked up books and magazines free or "dirt cheap" and cut out the pictures to illustrate stories, make posters, etc. I've heard of others who have cut out timeline figures from damaged, discarded books. BE AWARE OF COPYRIGHT LAWS While the photocopied version of that pricey teacher's manual or student workbook may be inexpensive and tempting, check first to be sure that the photocopying was not an infringement of someone's copyright. Also, many software packages are authorized for use only by the original license-holder, while others allow one transfer of ownership if the original user no longer has the software installed on her computer. For more information, see www.homeschoolcopyright.com. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14723 CHEAPER ISN'T ALWAYS A BARGAIN A friend of mine recently purchased a public school math book because it was a little less expensive than the Saxon she really wanted, then found that she would have to pay $70 for a public school teacher's key for the course. This comes back to knowing what you want and how much it will cost you. By the way, the teacher's book may or may not be necessary; some texts have answers in the backs, or you may be able to determine the correct answers. Some teacher's editions have not only answers, but super teaching ideas. If you aren't comfortable without it, consider buying it. REMEMBER THAT MOST SALES ARE FINAL While most dealers of new materials will allow a refund or exchange of items still in good condition if you change your mind, the average reseller is generally not able to offer that luxury because he is already shaving his margin by selling at a discount. Or the homeschool neighbor you bought the book from has probably already applied your book money to the electric bill. Be pretty sure of what you want, buy with confidence, and if it ends up not working out for you, list it on the swap board or in your homeschool-newsletter classifieds! TRY TO GET A PREVIEW If you aren't sure you are able to absorb a loss if it doesn't work out, try to borrow a copy of the book or material from a friend to look over for a few days, or to try for a week or two. Then you'll know if you're comfortable enough with the purchase of a particular used item to risk not being able to return it for a refund. If you are previewing at your local convention, please see the sidebar note. WHERE TO LOOK Ask your homeschool friends for recommendations of used book dealers and good swap boards. (See sidebar for a few.) Check homeschool magazine ads http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14724 and yard sales. Our weekly Trading Post paper sometimes has curricula listed, as do some of the online auction houses and book sellers. Your state organization http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14725 may have a listing of homeschool resale book shops or used curriculum sales in your state. VISIT BOOK ANNEXES Our local public school system regularly purges textbooks that were replaced with newer ones. The older books go to an annex building which is opened for the public to take what they would like, free of charge. Use this source judiciously, as many public school textbooks may not be suitable for your home use. But I have picked up dictionaries, typing books for keyboard practice, books on local history, etc., and a few moms have gotten desks, maps, and more. Check with your local school district for more information. MAKE YOUR NEEDS KNOWN Let local curriculum dealers and the moms in your support group http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14725 know that you are on the lookout for certain items. People often have things on their shelves that they don't realize may be of value to others. Swap boards often have "Wanted to Buy" sections as well as "For Sale" listings. Some homeschoolers are even willing to lend out the material they are not currently using, or work out a trade with you. TAKE A FRIEND Especially (but not only) if you are a fairly new homeschooler, it can be a big help to ask a veteran homeschooler (especially one familiar with curricula) to accompany you on your excursion. She can help you to focus on your list, explain whether or how some items may be able to substitute for others, help you know what questions to ask of a seller, and guide you on prices. There's comfort in a second set of eyes to help navigate--it's like having someone to "ride shotgun" while you're taking that "shortcut to savings"! Frugally yours, Vicki Bentley HSLDA Toddlers to Tweens consultant (c) 2003-2012. This article or the article from which it is adapted first appeared in the 2003 edition of The Virginia Homeschool Manual: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia, published by HEAV (www.heav.org). It also appeared in Practical Homeschooling magazine, Volume 51, P.O Box 1190, Fenton, MO 63026-1190. Used with permission. ------------------------------ A few used curriculum resources: Moore Expressions http://www.mooreexpressions.com/ HSLDA Curriculum Market http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14726 Used curriculum dealers list from HEAV http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14727 Homeschool Classifieds http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14728 VegSource http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14729 Educators' Exchange http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14730 The Swap http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14731 "Used Homeschool Curriculum" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14732 "Buying Used Homeschool Curriculum" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14733 "Used Curriculum Sources" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14734 For more ways to save, see "Homeschooling on a Shoestring Budget" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14735 ------------------------------ Convention Shopping If you do much of your initial browsing at your state or regional convention, I encourage you to consider saving in other areas so you can support the vendors in the exhibit hall. To quote my good friends at the Oregon http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14736 convention, "The exhibitors in the exhibit hall support the conference with their fees. This helps your state organization bring great homeschool speakers to your state for you to hear. Please thank the exhibitors with your patronage. You will find many useful and interesting items in the exhibit hall to help you homeschool. When shopping, we ask that you consider some 'exhibit hall etiquette': "Many of the homeschool vendors are experts in their field and can explain various products for you in great depth. They have made a sacrificial effort to be at our conference, and we encourage you to take advantage of this timely opportunity to talk. When a vendor takes the time and effort to explain a product or give you some sage advice and you decide to purchase the product, buy it from the person who took the time with you. It is unfair to take advantage of a small vendor's knowledge and then purchase the product for a few cents less from a competitor." And Marilyn Rockett, Editor in Chief of Homeschooling Today http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14737 magazine and author of Homeschooling at the Speed of Life, < http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14738 OR http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14739 reminds us: "Homeschoolers love to save money--I certainly do! But I know how hard it is for a homeschool family to run a small, homeschool products business. They are homeschoolers like you and welcome your business, but they can no longer attend conferences in today's economy if attendees don't purchase from them there. Please give them your business and save your dollars somewhere else. If you don't, they will no longer be able to offer their products and the homeschooling community will be worse off for the gap in such worthy materials. We need them!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Will your friends stand by you in trouble? They will if you're an HSLDA member and your homeschool is threatened. HSLDA is ready to stand by your side along with 80,000 other homeschool families. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1105 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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