A friend shared this with me recently; she desired to homeschool her children but was finding that many of the curriculums (especially for Christian homeschooling) can be very expensive. This is an option that is FREE, and she has been using it for over 3 years now for three of her children.
The California Virtual Academy is a WASC-Accredited Public Charter School. The curriculum, laptop, teaching supplies, craft supplies, and even a printer are provided for FREE. Families even receive a stipend for internet access to use the school. CVA goes from Kindergarten through Twelth grade.
This curriculum is not a Christian curriculum. But the great thing about homeschooling is having the ability to incorporate God into each subject, as you are your child's teacher. There are many homeschooling resources online that you could use to supplement the curriculum, such as adding a Bible class (which would not be graded through CVA).
CVA also offers field trips and gatherings with other families in the system. They even offer science fairs, spelling bees, and community service days.
I encourage you to pass this information on to your friends who are looking for homeschooling alternatives. After all, it is free!
June 16, 2009
Free Children's Services
Did you know that if you suspect that your child might have a developmental, speech, or any other type of disorder, there are centers in every state where you can receive FREE evaluations and help?
When my older son was two years old, we suspected that he might have a speech and language delay. Someone told me to contact our local Regional Center, which I did, and we received free testing. From there, they recommended speech therapy. I thought our options were limited to what was being offered through the school system (for free through the Regional Center). However, upon further research, I discovered that there are places called NPA's (Non Public Agencies) where you can also be approved to send your child. I found an amazing speech center in my area and requested that my son receive services there instead of at the school. Our request was approved, and he received speech therapy 2-3 times a week for over a year.
If I had not known about these services, we would have either not been able to get our son the help he needed, or been forced to pay out of our own pockets for help. Speech therapy sessions can range anywhere from $40-150 an hour.
For a list of California Regional Centers, visit this website. If your child is over 4 years of age, you can just contact your local school district for services as well. If you are outside of California, do some research to see if your state offers regional centers as well. If not, do an online search for "free speech therapy in [your state]" or "free testing for [your child's issue]". You may find the services you are needing for free!
When my older son was two years old, we suspected that he might have a speech and language delay. Someone told me to contact our local Regional Center, which I did, and we received free testing. From there, they recommended speech therapy. I thought our options were limited to what was being offered through the school system (for free through the Regional Center). However, upon further research, I discovered that there are places called NPA's (Non Public Agencies) where you can also be approved to send your child. I found an amazing speech center in my area and requested that my son receive services there instead of at the school. Our request was approved, and he received speech therapy 2-3 times a week for over a year.
If I had not known about these services, we would have either not been able to get our son the help he needed, or been forced to pay out of our own pockets for help. Speech therapy sessions can range anywhere from $40-150 an hour.
For a list of California Regional Centers, visit this website. If your child is over 4 years of age, you can just contact your local school district for services as well. If you are outside of California, do some research to see if your state offers regional centers as well. If not, do an online search for "free speech therapy in [your state]" or "free testing for [your child's issue]". You may find the services you are needing for free!
June 4, 2009
Need Clothes for Your Kids?
Then don't miss tomorrow's sale at Children's Orchard - Fill a Bag for $5! Children's Orchard is a children's retail store that sells very gently used clothing for cheap! The prices here are often better than at thrift stores, with most items selling between $1.99-$5.99. You can also sell gently used children's clothing to them and earn either store credit or cash. I have done this a few times and earned at least $30 both times. If you do want to sell to them, call to make an appointment, and iron all of the clothes. They are picky and won't take anything with even the slightest stain, fade or tear. THIS is the place to go for Halloween costumes, special occasion clothing, or just everyday gear. They also sell many different baby items, toys, shoes, etc.
Click here for more details:
Find a Location near You! (Click on the store locator button at the top left of the page)
May 27, 2009
Disneyland Pass for Less!
You may have already heard that you can go to Disneyland for free on your birthday. But what I didn't know until this week is that you can apply that free admission towards an annual pass on your birthday. If you live in Southern California, this is an especially great deal. If you go on your birthday only, you will get a $69 discount on any annual pass, and get in that day for free. There are four levels of passes:
Southern California Select - $134
Southern California - $174
Deluxe-$269
Premium- $389
If you choose the lowest level pass (which is not good during most of the summer and most weekends), you only have to pay $65 - that is less than one days admission for the entire year! This type of pass is good for my family, though, since my kids are not in school all day and we can go on weekdays for just a few hours. (We also try to avoid all theme parks in the summer anyway because of the crowds and the heat). Even if you choose the Deluxe pass, however, you still will only pay $200 for it.
Since my family has all of our birthdays within 6 weeks of each other, and we live 30 minutes from Disneyland, we have decided that we will go on all of our birthdays and get annual passes for only $65. Granted, we cannot all get in until the last person has their pass (that would be me, in July), BUT, once we all do, we have until May (my husband's birthday) to all get into Disneyland for free. That's called "workin' the system", people! :)
For parking, you can pay $59 to add that to your annual pass. In my family, we are adding that to my husband's pass only. If I ever want to take the kids for just a few hours myself, I can park in Downtown Disney's parking for free for the first 3 hours. There is a tram from Downtown Disney that will take you right smack to the middle of Disneyland, so you really could just spend about 2 hours there and call it a day - for free!
For more info, please visit Disney's website, read all the fine print, and be sure to see if this offer has expired before trying it yourself.
Southern California Select - $134
Southern California - $174
Deluxe-$269
Premium- $389
If you choose the lowest level pass (which is not good during most of the summer and most weekends), you only have to pay $65 - that is less than one days admission for the entire year! This type of pass is good for my family, though, since my kids are not in school all day and we can go on weekdays for just a few hours. (We also try to avoid all theme parks in the summer anyway because of the crowds and the heat). Even if you choose the Deluxe pass, however, you still will only pay $200 for it.
Since my family has all of our birthdays within 6 weeks of each other, and we live 30 minutes from Disneyland, we have decided that we will go on all of our birthdays and get annual passes for only $65. Granted, we cannot all get in until the last person has their pass (that would be me, in July), BUT, once we all do, we have until May (my husband's birthday) to all get into Disneyland for free. That's called "workin' the system", people! :)
For parking, you can pay $59 to add that to your annual pass. In my family, we are adding that to my husband's pass only. If I ever want to take the kids for just a few hours myself, I can park in Downtown Disney's parking for free for the first 3 hours. There is a tram from Downtown Disney that will take you right smack to the middle of Disneyland, so you really could just spend about 2 hours there and call it a day - for free!
For more info, please visit Disney's website, read all the fine print, and be sure to see if this offer has expired before trying it yourself.
April 28, 2009
Baskin-Robbins .31 Cent Night!
As you may (or may not) have noticed, this blog has been on hiatus for about a month. Not for any particular reason, mind you, but I haven't seen any great deals to "write home about" lately. Until now.
Tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 29th, 2009) is Baskin-Robbins Annual .31 cent a Scoop Night! The limit is 3 scoops per person. Get in line early, because this is a popular attraction! The event will happen from 5-10pm. Find your local Baskin-Robbins here.
Tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 29th, 2009) is Baskin-Robbins Annual .31 cent a Scoop Night! The limit is 3 scoops per person. Get in line early, because this is a popular attraction! The event will happen from 5-10pm. Find your local Baskin-Robbins here.
March 20, 2009
More Free Food!
Here is a coupon for a free Arby's Roast Beef Sandwich, with the purchase of a Pepsi. Offer expires TODAY, March 20th!
Arby's Coupon
Arby's Coupon
March 1, 2009
Saving By Using Home Remedies!
It is really easy to run to the local drugstore or pharmacy when an ailment strikes you. There is something on the counter for everything these days. Have you ever opened your medicine cabinet, though, and seen how many medicines you have that you used maybe one time and never again? These things add up! One easy way you can save big is by treating mild ailments with home remedies. This week I was afflicted with a small but painful canker sore in my mouth. Some friends recommended buying certain products that would help, but I jumped online and found that I could treat it at home for free with some simple things I had in my cupboard.
You can do any web search for these, but here are a few of my favorites:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-channel.htm
http://www.grannymed.com/
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/home_remedies/index.php
You can also do a google search for "home remedies for -----" (and fill in your ailment). Be sure to see a doctor if it is ANYTHING serious though!!!
Also, don't forget that when you are filing your taxes, you can deduct medical expenses: doctor's visits (co-payments), prescriptions, dental work, and mileage to and from the doctor and dentist. Even these things are deductible: pregnancy tests, bandages, chiropractor, eyeglasses, psychologist, and even a weight-loss program! (if the doctor recommends that you lose weight as a treatment for a special disease). See this website for all of the details (and more medical deductions) before you file.
You can do any web search for these, but here are a few of my favorites:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-channel.htm
http://www.grannymed.com/
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/home_remedies/index.php
You can also do a google search for "home remedies for -----" (and fill in your ailment). Be sure to see a doctor if it is ANYTHING serious though!!!
Also, don't forget that when you are filing your taxes, you can deduct medical expenses: doctor's visits (co-payments), prescriptions, dental work, and mileage to and from the doctor and dentist. Even these things are deductible: pregnancy tests, bandages, chiropractor, eyeglasses, psychologist, and even a weight-loss program! (if the doctor recommends that you lose weight as a treatment for a special disease). See this website for all of the details (and more medical deductions) before you file.
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