Special Replay: Churches and Homeschool Groups

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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!

 

 

 

No Parental Involvement. Is That a Good Thing?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

No Parental Involvement - is that a good thing for Homeschool Co-ops?A homeschool curriculum touted the benefit of their program to be “No parental involvement needed.” Is that a good feature or not? Listen as Carol Topp, CPA warns homeschool leaders of the trap they can fall into if they don’t include parents in their homeschool program.

Visit Carol’s website here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

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

 

Have you ever thought about starting a homeschool co-op? Are you afraid it will be too much work? Do you think you’ll have to do it all by yourself? 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


Accountability: Do you need it?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Accountability: Do you need it?“I’m looking at a homeschool program that meets twice a week because it will hold me accountable,” explained a mother of preschoolers interested in homeschooling. My question to her was, “Do you need accountability?” Maybe not! Listen as Carol Topp explains her reply to this new mom considering a homeschool program for a very young child.

Visit Carol’s website here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

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

 

Have you ever thought about starting a homeschool co-op? Are you afraid it will be too much work? Do you think you’ll have to do it all by yourself? 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!

 

Good,Fast And Cheap: Can a Homeschool Co-op Be All Three?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Good Fast and Cheap! Can a Homeschool Co-op Be All Three?A homeschool co-op offers drop-off high school classes and wants to remain high quality and low cost. The leader is struggling. I say she can’t offer all three: Cheap, good and fast (or convenient for parents). She’ll have to give up one of those goals to remain viable. Listen as Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA, explains how she advised this homeschool leader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

More on Avoiding Leader Burnout

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

More on Avoiding Leader Burnout in Homeschool Co-ops with the Homeschool CPAListen as Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA, shares 5 more ways to avoid burnout as you lead your homeschool organization.

Visit Carol’s website here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

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

 

Have you ever thought about starting a homeschool co-op? Are you afraid it will be too much work? Do you think you’ll have to do it all by yourself? 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!

 

 


We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Like Arrows!

FamilyLife’s first feature film LIKE ARROWS, explores the joys and heartaches of parenting with a story that spans over 50 years. Join us in theaters across America for a special 2 night showing of LIKE ARROWS followed by exclusive after-show content with the film-makers, including celebrated faith-based film-makers Alex and Stephen Kendrick as well as FamilyLife Today’s Dennis and Barbara Rainey and Bob Lepine. You’ll leave encouraged and equipped with powerful next steps to make Christ the center of YOUR parenting.

LIKE ARROWS will be in theaters for two nights only, MAY 1ST and 3RD. To view the trailer and find theater info, visit the link below. If you missed the movie in theatres be sure to check out the Digital, DVD and Blueray versions on the website, LikeArrowsMovie.com

Visit here to learn more.


5 Ways to Avoid Burnout

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

10 Ways to Avoid Burnout in a Homeschool Co-op with the Homeschool CPALeading a homeschool co-op can be exhausting. Carol Topp, Homeschool CPA, shares 5 ways to avoid burnout as you lead your homeschool group.

Visit Carol’s website here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

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

 

Have you ever thought about starting a homeschool co-op? Are you afraid it will be too much work? Do you think you’ll have to do it all by yourself? 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!

 

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, The Miracle Season!

Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girl’s volleyball team. After the tragic death of the school’s star player Caroline “Line” Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.

 

Visit here to learn more.


Benefits of Homeschool Co-ops

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Benefits of homeschool co-ops with the Homeschool CPA, Carol Topp.Are you considering starting a homeschool co-op? What are the advantages of belonging to a co-op? They are many as Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA, points out in this podcast. If you’re already leading a homeschool co-op listen in to see if you are offering these advantages to your co-op members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

 

 

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

 

Have you ever thought about starting a homeschool co-op? Are you afraid it will be too much work? Do you think you’ll have to do it all by yourself? 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!

 

Is a Homeschool Co-op a Good Option for Your Family?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are homeschool co-ops a good fit for your family? |

 

There are so many advantages to belonging to a homeschool co-op such as socialization, learning from others, group interaction, and support, but perhaps you are asking, “Is it a good option for my family?” and “Am I ready for the commitment?”

Socialization

The most apparent benefit of a homeschool co-op is socialization. Most co-ops meet once or twice a week, giving students a “taste” of group learning without being overwhelming. They are a great place to make friends.

Learning from Another Adult

The other parents who volunteer as teachers and helpers in a co-op serve as role models, mentors and teachers. I think it is very healthy for children to have adults they respect outside their own family. Children will learn from college professors and trainers in the workplace someday, so a homeschool co-op helps them learn from different types of people.

Group Interaction

Co-ops provide a wonderful opportunity for your student to engage in group discussions and other classes that work best in a group setting including performing plays, public speaking, gym games, and choir. These types of learning opportunities cannot be done as well in a home setting, but they work beautifully in a homeschool co-op.

Encouragement

One co-op director believes that if a co-op helps even one mother to continue homeschooling, then all the work has been worthwhile. Specifically, she tries to support parents of high school students, many of whom drop out of homeschooling because the subject material grows more difficult at the high school level.

Another homeschool co-op offers a room for mothers to eat, talk and share each other’s burdens. Mothers feel free to share their homeschooling struggles because this group understands them without condemnation.

Time commitment

But co-ops come at a cost and have challenges as well. A commitment to joining a co-op will involve your time on co-op day itself. Joining a co-op means that others are depending upon you to uphold your commitment to teach or help in a class. If you do not show up at co-op one week, someone else will need to fill the gap. If you skip too many times, you may even be asked to leave the group!

Money

In addition to a time commitment, co-ops require money. While most of the co-ops keep costs low, a co-op cannot run without charging some fees. Overall, co-oping provides tremendous benefits for the money, but some homeschoolers are financially strapped and find even a small fee difficult to manage.

There are homeschool organizations that hire teachers and do not require the parents to volunteer. The cost of these programs is significantly higher than an all-volunteer homeschool co-op. Realize that you will pay with time, money, or perhaps some of each.

Structure

Some co-ops have a very school-like structure or require agreement to rules and policies. If you are a free spirit or an unschooler, you may not feel comfortable with too much structure. Before joining, visit the co-op in action to get a sense of the surroundings and the rules. You may decide that the benefits outweigh the negative feelings of a structured environment, or you may conclude that you can live with a little structure once a week.

Belonging to a homeschool co-op can have some challenges, but can bring significant benefits. Most homeschool parents find that co-oping is worth the commitment and expense. Understand the expectations before you join in to get the best out of your experience.


Carol Topp, CPA author of Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out is a retired homeschool mother who participated in homeschool co-ops for over 10 years. She now uses her accounting skills to help homeschool organizations at her website www.HomeschoolCPA.com. Carol’s podcast for the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is called Dollars and Sense.

Money  Tips: Look at Your Balance sheet

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Money Tips: Look at your balance sheetHomeschool board members don’t understand a balance sheet, so it is often ignored, but Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA, explains why that is a big mistake.

In this short podcast she explains what a balance sheet is and what are red flags in a Balance Sheet. You’ll be a better informed board member after listening to this podcast episode.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

 

Money Tips: How to Read a Financial Statement

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Money Tips: How to Read a Financial StatementWhen your homeschool treasurer hands you a financial statement, do you know what you’re looking at? HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, explains how to read and understand the statement of revenues and expenses. This  15 minute podcast will help your treasurer prepare a statement that is easy to read and understand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!