Used Homeschool Textbooks

By purchasing used homeschool textbooks, you can greatly lower your homeschooling cost. The key to buying used materials is finding the right places to shop, choosing the correct materials, and making sure you are getting the items for a good price. Here are some tips for buying used homeschool books.

Library sales, thrift stores, garage sales and used bookstores are great places to find materials. I regularly peruse the Half Pint section and Education aisle of Half Price Books for read-alouds, teacher's manuals, curriculum and homeschool books.

Our homeschool support group hosts an annual book sale where homeschoolers can buy and sell materials from each other. If your homeschool group doesn't currently host a used book sale, consider organizing one or hosting a book swap where group members can exchange books with other homeschoolers.

The internet is another great place to find used homeschool textbooks. Some curriculum publishers, such as Sonlight, The Well Trained Mind and Winter Promise, host homeschool forums where you can buy and sell materials. Ebay is an online auction site that is popular mong homeschoolers. You can also find used books at:

• Homeschool Classifieds,
• Veg Source, and
• Homeschooler's Curriculum Swap.

Some online sellers will allow you to pay for materials by money order or cashier's check. However, many will want you to pay via credit card or PayPal account for added convenience and security.

You can obtain used readers and read-alouds online by exchanging old books through Paperback Swap. Here are some other sources of used homeschooling books.

When purchasing used homeschooling curriculum, make a list of the names, grade levels and editions of the items you want to purchase to make sure you are buying the correct materials. Ask specific questions about the books' condition. Are there any torn or bent pages? Have the books been written in? Does the seller own pets or smoke?

Check the retail price to make sure you are getting a good deal. Popular items often sell for 50-80% of retail price. Make sure you are comfortable with the terms of purchase before submitting your payment.

Find out how and when the items will be shipped. If you choose, you can pay extra for express delivery and shipping insurance.

Here are some additional tips for buying used homeschool textbooks. Here are some other ways to lower your homeschooling cost.

Selling used homeschool books is a great way to earn money to buy new materials. If you know you want to resell textbooks or workbooks, help them maintain their value by having your children write answers on a seperate sheet of paper. Also make sure the books are not exposed to cigarette smoke or pets.

Keep track of the items you have for sale and where they are being sold. Set a fair price for the products, and only lower the price if your materials have been on the market for some time without selling. Set clear payment and shipping terms and deliver the items as expected. Ask the buyer to leave positive feedback about your service.

Here are some additional information about selling used homeschool curriculum. Here are some tips for affordable homeschooling.