We live on a one-income budget so it is impossible for me to just go crazy and buy everything I see for our homeschool even if I think it has a great value. So, there are a couple of tricks I use to get these things for super cheap or even free:
Mamapedia: With Mamapedia, you can get great daily deals emailed to you. I watch for the educational items and grab them up. When you refer friends to Mamapedia and they purchase their first deal, you earn a $10 credit. I save those credits up and use that to get the deals for free.
Totsy: While you can also earn referral cash from Totsy, it works more like an outlet mall... except online. Products are drastically marked down and may only last for a limited amount of time or until quantities are sold out.
Swagbucks: I use the Swagbucks toolbar to search the internet and earn points by doing so. With those points, or Swagbucks, I can purchase Amazon gift cards. The gift cards cost me nothing but I can then turn around and spend them at Amazon.com. I can earn up to five $5 Amazon gift cards a month and then, because I am a member of the Amazon Mom's Club, which costs me nothing, I get free 2-day shipping.
Yard Sales & Thrift Stores: If you keep your eyes open and are patient, you can find a lot of great stuff for your homeschool at yard sales or thrift stores.
Gift Wish List: We keep a running list of educational toys that I know our children would love on a wish list with links to where I saw them on the internet. Around the holidays or birthdays, when someone asks what the children would like, I email the list to them as an attachment.
Ebates: When I do shop online, I shop through Ebates which gives me cash back for my purchases. I can then use that money to purchase homeschool materials.
