Although the cost of homeschooling curriculum, supplies and activities can certainly add up, home education does not have to be expensive. Research has shown that homeschooling can be successful regardless of how much or how little a parent spends. Here are 10 steps to inexpensive homeschooling.

1. Set a budget for how much you want to spend for each child per year and resolve to stick to it. Make sure consider the cost of curriculum, books, magazines, supplies, support group dues, legal association dues and outside activities.

2. Use your local library. In addition to providing books and reference materials, public libraries sometimes host story times, reading programs, book clubs, writer's groups, support groups, field trip and volunteer opportunities.

3. Look for free homeschooling materials. You can find textbooks, audio books, novels, lesson plans, printable worksheets and even complete curriculum programs online.

4. Purchase used homeschool books. You can find used curriculum at local used book stores, garage sales, thrift shops and homeschool support group sales. There are also many websites that facilitate buying and selling used materials.

5. When buying new, purchase discount homeschool books. Many online stores like Rainbow Resource and Christian Book Distributors offer great discounts on new materials from popular providers. You can also buy fiction and non-fiction books from Scholastic Book Club's monthly flier for cost savings.

6. Ask your favorite retailers if they offer an educator's discount. Homeschool parents often qualify for teacher's discount programs. If the store requires you to show an official letter or ID card before taking advantage of the discount, print one from your home computer.

7. Purchase high quality materials that can be handed down to younger siblings. Preserve consumable materials by having your child write answers on a separate sheet of paper. You can also cover workbook pages with plastic sheet protectors and have your child write with dry erase markers.

8. Make your own lesson plans, tests, worksheets, flash cards and manipulatives. When possible, avoid purchasing teacher's editions and answer keys.

9. Find low cost extracurricular activities. Schedule field trips for discount or free admission days, or obtain a group discount by attending with other homeschool families. Take music, dance or art lessons from another homeschool mom in order to save money on the cost of tuition.

10. Look for ways to earn income from home. Re-sell used curriculum, tutor students from other families, provide lessons in your areas of expertise or start an at home business.

Homeschoolers who are determined and committed, can significantly lower their homeschooling costs. Some parents who are especially resourceful even manage to homeschool their children for free!