In this 2-part series, I'll discuss my process for decision making on digital products as well as share my favorite resources for making printing affordable! You can read the digital discussion below and the printing help HERE.

It's not an uncommon for me to receive messages like:

How many pages is this document?
Will I need to print all of it?
I'm trying to figure out how much it's going to cost altogether.
Where do you get your stuff printed?
How can you afford to have so much printed?
How are digital products a savings when printing is so expensive?

I 100% get it, my friend! Every single one of us is on a fixed homeschool budget, and even if the budget is generous, we want to stretch every penny because—books, right?

So I wanted to develop a little guide for choosing and printing digital products. Opportunities abound for these in the homeschool world, and it can get overwhelming fast. But before we dive into the how and where of printing, let’s talk about why we even buy digital curriculum in the first place—especially those big bundle sales that pop up a few times a year.

Are Digital Bundle Sales Really a Good Value?

You’ve probably seen them: Build Your Bundle, Ultimate Bundles, and others offering 80–90% off on digital curriculum. The value can be incredible. But how do you know if it’s a good value for you?

I’ve struggled with this question myself. I love a good deal and can easily get swept up in the “This is worth $500 but only costs $40!” hype. But more than once, I’ve gone on to not use a single thing from the bundle I bought at a discount… which begs the real question:

Did I save money, or did I just waste money?

I hate realizing I’ve wasted money. (So does my husband, ha.)

The 6 Questions I Ask Before Buying Digital Curriculum

Here’s the list I walk myself through before hitting that “buy now” button:

What do I actually need right now?
Before browsing any sale, I make a list. If we’re already loving our math curriculum, I skip the math resources. Don’t let “new and shiny” tempt you—if it’s working, save your money and your sanity.
What from this bundle am I 100% sure we will use?
Highlight or jot down the few resources you know you’d use right away or during your upcoming school year.
What would I probably use? What would I definitely not use?
Be honest. If it doesn’t match your homeschool philosophy or your child’s learning style, you won’t end up using it—no matter how good the deal.
How much do the definitely + probably items cost on their own?
If I’ll only use $100 worth of the resources in a $450 bundle, it’s not a $450 value for my family—it’s a $100 value. If the bundle costs $25? Great deal. If it’s $95? Probably not.
How much will it cost to print the items I plan to use?
Printing can add up fast, especially for full-color or high-page-count items. Take a few minutes to estimate the cost (more on this below!).
Do the cost of printing + the bundle price = real savings?
Once I know the cost of what I’ll use and what it’ll cost to print it, I can make a confident decision. If it still saves us money, I go for it. If not? I pass.

When to Choose Digital vs Printed Curriculum

If a site offers both digital and print versions, I always consider:

Print quality. Will it be better than what I can do at home?
Longevity. Will I want to use this again with future children?
Cost breakdown. Is the printed version only slightly more than the combined cost of digital + printing?

The Good and the Beautiful is a great example. They offer free digital products and very affordable printed versions—with excellent quality. Sure, I could print it cheaper at home, but the quality wouldn’t compare. However, if I’m planning to reuse it with multiple children and don’t mind simpler quality, the digital version makes more sense long-term.

In the next portion of this series, I'll discuss the printing options I'm familiar with and what works for our family! Click HERE to read part 2!

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