Can We Afford To Homeschool? Understanding Homeschool Finances

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
August 30, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Homeschool Finances | Can We Afford to Homeschool? Podcast of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network #HIRL

Making Homeschooling Work on a Tight Budget

In this episode, Fletch and Kendra from the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network are joined by CPA and homeschooling expert Carol Topp to delve into the topic of homeschooling on a limited budget. The conversation covers valuable insights on managing finances while providing a quality homeschooling experience for your children.

Episode Highlights:

Sponsor:  I want to thank Route 60: A Biblical Highway for sponsoring this podcast. Please check out the link here. Route60.movie

1. The Financial Realities of Homeschooling | Understanding Homeschool Finances

– Understanding the concerns of homeschooling parents who are struggling financially.
– Exploring the challenges of affording homeschooling when the budget is already stretched thin.
– Acknowledging the importance of financial stability while pursuing homeschooling goals.

2. Strategies for Homeschooling on a Small Budget | Putting Homeschool Finances to Work

– Carol Topp shares practical tips for making homeschooling work with limited financial resources.
– Exploring cost-effective curriculum options, free educational resources, and library materials.
– Creative ways to engage in extracurricular activities and field trips without breaking the bank.

3. Homeschooling Older Kids | Managing Challenges in Your Homeschool Finances

– Discussing the unique expenses and challenges associated with homeschooling teenagers.
– Exploring part-time job opportunities and microbusiness ideas for teens to contribute to homeschooling expenses.
– Balancing the financial aspect with the flexibility and personalized education homeschooling offers.

4. Aligning Finances with Purpose in Your Homeschool Finances

– Reflecting on the deeper purpose of homeschooling and the values it aligns with.
– Evaluating financial decisions in the context of one’s family goals and values.
– Recognizing the need to prioritize and make thoughtful choices in spending.

5. Resources and Recommendations

– Carol Topp’s “Dollars and Sense” podcast for more financial insights and advice.
– Exploring the “Microbusiness for Teens” concept as a way for teenagers to learn about entrepreneurship and contribute financially.
– Drawing inspiration from financial expert Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University.”

6. Final Thoughts

– Emphasizing the importance of open communication about financial constraints with children.
– Encouraging parents to seek support from homeschooling communities and online networks.
– Reminding listeners that homeschooling’s value goes beyond finances, focusing on the holistic development of children.

Conclusion

In this eye-opening episode, Fletch, Kendra, and guest Carol Topp provide a wealth of practical advice and thoughtful perspectives on navigating homeschooling within a limited budget. By aligning financial decisions with their core values, homeschooling parents can find ways to provide a rich and fulfilling educational experience for their children while maintaining financial stability.

Resources Mentioned

HomeschoolCPA
Dollars and Sense Podcast with Carol Topp
Microbusiness for Teens
Financial Peace University

**Disclaimer:**
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.

 

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Best Marriage Tips

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
January 10, 2021 by 2 Comments

Best Marriage Tips Ever | After 40+ years of marriage I have some of the best marriage tips ever and these really work. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #marraigetips #marriage #happymarriage @godlymarriageLet’s Talk About Marriage – Best Marriage Tips!  

with your host Felice Gerwitz

After 40+ years of marriage, I have some of the best marriage tips ever and these really work.

You are probably thinking… oh great! Another know-it-all podcaster trying to tell you how to make your marriage work! Well, I have 35 years under my belt – I’m no expert, but I’m a hard-headed, first-generation Italian, New Yorker, married to a German-Irish-American! It has taken years of give-and-take to make our marriage great. And, I wanted to ask some others who have been married for years to chime in with their tips! This podcast contains advice from:

Carol Topp: Dollars & Sense Radio ; Hal & Melanie Young: Making Biblical Family Life Practical; Meredith Curtis: Finish Well Radio ; Andy & Kendra Fletcher: HomeschoolingIRL 

Show Notes:

Scriptures to Study in Regard to Marriage:

  • Genesis 2:22-24
  • Proverbs: Some I love!! Proverbs: 5:18-19 ; 20:6-7; 30:18-19; 31:10
  • Matthew: 19:4-6
  • 1-Corinthians: 7:1-6
  • Mark: 10:6-9
  • Ephesians: 5:22-33
  • Links: 

Test – Learn Your Love Language

Recommended Books:
The Bible!

Look for Books on “Love Language” at the library or your favorite book store.

Advice and Tips:

Jeff Gerwitz: Keep Communication and Smooch Them Often!

Felice Gerwitz: Don’t go to bed angry: A. You both agree to solve your issues before bed — B. Understand the resolution will be a compromise for Both of You! and If you love giving gifts – A. Don’t expect anything in return and B. Accept gifts graciously

Carol Topp: One key to marriage success is to set aside time each day to catch up, even if it’s just 10 minutes. A co-worker gave me this advice over 20 years ago and he was right! My show http://dollarsandsenseshow.com. BTW my husband and I had our 30th Anniversary this year.

Hal Young: When God created marriage, the very first reason the Bible gives is companionship – “It is not good that the man should be alone,” God said (Genesis 2:18). We should make it our goal to make our mate our best friend as well as our spouse. That takes time and commitment, but don’t we know how to keep up a friendship? Why not use the same relationship skills in our marriage? Their show, Making Biblical Family Life Practical and you can find it on this network  – here is an easy way to find them –(HalAndMelanie.com/radio/) and they wrote a wonderful book on marriage “My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses.” (www.mybelovedandmyfriend.com).

Meredith Ludwig Curtis: Another Mom with a large family, who has a show on this network specifically for teens and that is Finish Well Radio – FinishWellRadio.com – she is married to a Pastor and says, “A key to marriage success: Put Jesus first! Serve Him together! Love Him together! Raise godly children together! Change the world together!”

Andy Fletcher: We were given two pieces of advice. The first was very simple: Outserve one another. If you make it your goal to out serve your spouse, you will be in the right mindset. The second piece of advice was just silly: … you’ll have to listen to their podcast to find out! Catch their show on homeschooling and marriage,  What Homeschooling Does to Marriage

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Special Replay: Tax Exempt Q&A with Homeschool Leaders

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
August 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Tax Exempt Q&A with Homeschool Leaders

This episode is an excerpt from the Indiana Homeschool Leaders Retreat. Carol Topp discusses tax exempt status and answers questions about self-declaring tax exempt status for your homeschool support group.

 

Visit Carol’s website here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization

Does your homeschool group need to pay taxes? Could they avoid paying taxes by being a 501c3 tax exempt organization? Do you know the pros and cons of 501c3 status? Do you know what 501c3 status could mean for your homeschool group?

I have the answers for you in my book The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization. The information I share in my book has been helpful to homeschool support groups, co-ops, music and sports groups and will help you understand:

  • The benefits of 501c3 status
  • The disadvantages too!
  • What it takes to make the IRS happy
  • What your state requires
  • Why your organization should consider becoming a nonprofit corporation
  • What is the difference between nonprofit incorporation and tax exemption
  • IRS requirements after you are tax exempt

Click Here for more information!

 

Save

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Special Replay: Churches and Homeschool Groups

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
July 30, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Churches and Homeschool Groups - with the Homeschool CPA Some homeschool groups find it difficult to find a church host. Why is that? This episode is an excerpt from a homeschool leaders retreat held in Indiana. Carol Topp discusses the relationship homeschool groups have with churches who host their programs.

 

Visit Carol’s website here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

Money Management in a Homeschool Organization

Does your homeschool group manage their money well? Do you have a budget and know where the money is spent? Do you know how to prevent fraud? This 115 page book will help you to open a checking account, establish a budget, prevent mistakes and fraud, use software to keep the books, prepare a financial statement and hire workers. Sample forms and examples of financial statements in clear English are provided.

Click Here to request more information!

 

 

 

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Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About IRS Annual Reports

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
July 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment

IRS Annual ReportsWhat Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About IRS Annual Reports

Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about IRS Annual Report. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand a report that the IRS requires from all tax exempt organizations–including your group! It’s called the Form 990.

Visit Carol’s website here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED SERVICE from HomeschoolCPA:

 

Preparations of Annual Return for IRS 

 

Preparing the Form 990/990-EZ Annual Information Return for the IRS and your State.

The Form 990/990-EZ is due 4 1/2 months after the end of your fiscal year.

Involves several telephone calls and e-mails and copy of your financial statements (a QuickBooks file is preferred).

 

Buying Peace of Mind

A review of forms you have prepared yourself. Save money by doing much of the work yourself. I will review Forms 1023 or Annual Form 990 and offer my opinion and advice.

___________________________________________

Wow Carol!  Thanks so much – just the info you provided here is very helpful.  I look forward to speaking with you as I’m anxious to get started, but I want to do so in the best and most efficient way.  This is new territory for me – so I truly appreciate your guidance!

-Laine Discepoli, Glendale, OH

________________________________________

QuickBooks Set Up and Training

Setting up a QuickBooks Chart of Accounts unique to your homeschool organization.    (Your organization needs to buy their own copy of QuickBooks)

Click Here to request more information!

 

 

 

 

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Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Tax Exempt Status

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Tax Exempt Status


What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Tax Exempt Status

Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA, will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand tax exempt status. It’s easier than ever to get tax-exempt status. Should your group apply?

Visit Carol’s website here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED SERVICE from HomeschoolCPA:

 

Tax Exempt for Small Nonprofit Organization

 

Contact HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, CPA, to arrange for assistance in applying for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.  This service involves several telephone calls and e-mails.

  •  IRS Streamlined Form 1023-EZ Application
  • Full 501(c)(3) Application
  • Full 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(7) Application
  • State filings
  • Review of Self Prepared Application

Click Here to request more information!

 

 

 

 

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Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Non-Profit Status

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

What Homeschool Leaders Don't Know About Non-Profit Status

What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About NonProfit Status

Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand nonprofit status for their groups. What does it take to be a nonprofit? Only two things! Did you know that nonprofit status is not the same thing as tax exempt status?

Visit Carol’s website here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

Does your homeschool group need to pay taxes?

Could they avoid paying taxes by being a 501c3 tax exempt organization? Do you know the pros and cons of 501c3 status? Do you know what 501c3 status could mean for your homeschool group?

I have the answers for you in my book The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization. The information I share in my book has been helpful to homeschool support groups, co-ops, music and sports groups and will help you understand:

  • The benefits of 501c3 status
  • The disadvantages too!
  • What it takes to make the IRS happy
  • What your state requires
  • Why your organization should consider becoming a nonprofit corporation
  • What is the difference between nonprofit incorporation and tax exemption
  • IRS requirements after you are tax exempt

Click Here to request more information!

 

 

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Best Of HomeschoolCPA: Can We Collect Money Now That’s For Next Year?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
May 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Can My Homeschool Group Collect Money Now That's For Next Year?Can My Homeschool Group Collect Money Now That’s For Next Year?

Many homeschool groups collect deposits in the spring for next fall’s programs. This helps with determining how many families will be returning. But how should these early deposits be recorded in a homeschool group’s bookkeeping. Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA offers some ideas.

In the podcast Carol mentioned a handout that explains how to record early deposits in accounting software like QuickBooks. Here it is:

Deferred Revenue in QuickBooks (pdf)

Visit Carol’s website here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

Money Management in a Homeschool Organization

Does your homeschool group manage their money well? Do you have a budget and know where the money is spent? Do you know how to prevent fraud? This 115 page book will help you to open a checking account, establish a budget, prevent mistakes and fraud, use software to keep the books, prepare a financial statement and hire workers. Sample forms and examples of financial statements in clear English are provided.

Click Here to request more information!

 

 

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Summertime Favorites – Can We Afford To Homeschool?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Free podcast about the finances and budgeting for Christian homeschoolingCan you afford to homeschoool? What if your budget is already at its max, and you feel you’re barely scraping by just to provide the basics for your family?

Join Fletch and Kendra as we sit down with our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network colleague and CPA Carol Topp for a lively and quick discussion of how to make homeschooling work on a small or non-existent budget, the realities and expenses of homeschooling older kids, and the need to examine our hearts when it comes to finances and what God is calling us to do.

 

Show Notes

HomeschoolCPA

Dollars and Sense podcast, with Carol Topp

Microbusiness for Teens

Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace University

 

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Rebecca from the Well Planned Gal understands the challenges of working within a budget, managing multiple children, and trying to keep up with a variety of information. That is why she created popular planner bundles!

Combine organizational tools with year long encouragement by bundling Well Planned Day planners with the popular Family Magazine. For a limited time, Save 30% with one of her popular planner bundles. Each bundle contains 2 planner products with a one-year subscription to Family Magazine.

Click Here to Go to Well Planned Gal

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Reasons to be an Exclusive Homeschool Group

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Should public-school-at-home parents be joining your homeschool group? Or perhaps your group desires to be more exclusive and have all members be “independent” or “traditionally” homeschooling.

 

On the I Am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook page, a question was asked about the pros and cons of mixing homeschool and public-school-at-home students in your group-or, put differently, being inclusive (open at all) or exclusive (limiting membership). Many homeschool leaders contributed their experiences and reason for their group’s decision. In this episode of the HomeschoolCPA podcast, Carol Topp will share some of the reasons that some groups are exclusive and do not allow public school students into their homeschool group including:

 

  • Leaders cannot serve everyone!
  • Overcrowding pre-schools or other activities in the homeschool group
  • Public school students have their own groups and support networks
  • It’s easier to be exclusive. There were too many disagreements in inclusive group
  • The group could lose a place in homeschool sports competitions if public school students are included

 

In the podcast Carol mentioned the Facebook  group for homeschool leaders I am a Homeschool Group Leader. Join 400+ homeschool leaders for ideas, encouragement and respective exchange of ideas. https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

 

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FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

Homeschool Co-ops:
How to Start Them, Run Them and not Burn Out

Need more information on how to start and run a homeschool co-op? Carol Topp’s book, Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out  is packed with helpful tips and advice from other homeschool leaders.

Starting a homeschool co-op can be easy! This book Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out will give you ideas, inspiration, tips, wisdom and the tools you need to start a homeschool co-op, run it and not burn out!

Click Here to request more information!

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Rebecca from the Well Planned Gal understands the challenges of working within a budget, managing multiple children, and trying to keep up with a variety of information. That is why she created popular planner bundles!

Combine organizational tools with year long encouragement by bundling Well Planned Day planners with the popular Family Magazine. For a limited time, Save 30% with one of her popular planner bundles. Each bundle contains 2 planner products with a one-year subscription to Family Magazine.

Click Here to Go to Well Planned Gal

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