Looking to save on your home school expenses? Have home school budget constraints?

Buying used home school curriculum is probably one of the best ways to save money on your home schooling expenses... Or is it?

In our effort to save money and use our limited financial resources wisely, we often look for deals, discounts and bargains.

But sometimes these sweet buys can turn sour...

• Items arriving late, or not at all.
• Buying damaged products with missing lessons.
• Or, purchasing the wrong materials.

It all adds up to wasted time and money!

If you are not careful, purchasing used home school curriculum could actually cost more than buying brand new materials.

Over the years, I admit that I have made my share of purchasing blunders while trying to stretch our home school budget.

I have bought the wrong items, wrong grades, wrong textbooks, and wrong editions for our curriculum.
I have purchased items and not received them from the seller. I have received items that didn't match their description, stunk like cigarette smoke, were missing entire lessons and filled with writing.

Everyone's standards are different. A little writing to one person may be a lot to someone else.

When you have financial constraints and a budget to keep, you can find many ways to save money on home schooling material. Purchasing used curriculum could save you a boatload of money, but may not always be the best solution.

If you decide to purchase used home school curriculum, here are some helpful tips to guide you when purchasing used educational materials, so you can avoid my book buying bloopers.

Buy the set instead of individual items.

Don't buy used teachers guides, solutions manuals, student workbooks, tests and test answer keys separately, unless you know exactly what you need. You may experience difficulty finding certain items from older editions or never find the exact missing piece you need.

Spend the extra money and purchase all course components together, as a set.

Make sure your editions match.

If you don't purchase the correct editions, i.e. matching teacher's manuals and workbooks, etc. you can waste your precious time, and your hard earned money!

When you purchase different editions, most often the questions and answers don't match and you will waste more time trying to figure out the answers to the questions.

Avoid the headache - make sure your editions match!

Don't get sucked into the auction feeding frenzy.

Ask questions and do your research.

During my eBay excursions, I have seen used curriculum sell for more than the retail price!

With a little research, you will know what a product really costs. You will make wiser decisions, save money easier and become a savvy shopper.

Buy from sellers who have a good reputation or ratings.

Buying sight unseen takes some faith in the person you are purchasing from. You are trusting that they are honest and have your best interest at heart.

Unfortunately, not everyone is honest.

Look for testimonials from happy customers. Happy customers tell others.

You may find less hassle, increased confidence and a better shopping experience when purchasing new or used materials through a trusted home school curriculum provider.

Purchasing used home school curriculum can be fun, rewarding and money-saving. You meet other home schoolers and recycle some still usable educational materials.

But many small mistakes can add up so...

Used home school curriculum buyers - beware!