I have to admit that one of my favorite things in life is office supplies! Who doesn’t love the smell of a brand new box of crayons? I sometimes have to hold back the urge to buy new art supplies on a yearly bases because let’s be honest…I still have everything I need…from last year!

As a Homeschooling Mom, I have my staple items that I HAVE to have on hand at all times! These are the top ten items I MUST HAVE at hand all year long!

A Reliable Printer

I have purchased many different printers in the past and without fail….I end up finding out that it eats papers or the ink is astronomical in cost! The only printer I have had any success with is my Brother brand printer. I have had this printer for 6+ years and have had nothing but good luck!

Inexpensive Ink

I know what you are thinking….”Is there such a thing?” If the words inexpensive ink is a new phrase for you, allow me to enlighten you even more! I hate spending money on ink! I cringe when someone says they spent $50+ on ink for their printer!

After a little searching on Amazon, I discovered out that there are several companies that make generic ink cartridges for my printer! For only $20 I can buy enough ink for a years worth of printing! That made this penny pinching mommy happy!

Laminator

I use my laminator ALL of the time! It’s true! I use it to laminate important spreadsheets that the kids use in school, chore lists, game sheets…etc. I use it for anything and everything that we may use multiple times. The reason why is because once you laminate something, it becomes a mini dry erase board! I have even laminated white card stock to make them into mini dry erase boards for a class! The laminator I use is from Amazon Basics. There really isn’t anything too special about it but it was cheap and fulfills my laminating needs!

Quality Laminating Pouches

Once you buy a good quality laminating pouches, you will never go back to the cheaper ones! I don’t normally buy the more expensive version of anything! Unless, I really see the need. When I found out that the thicker laminating pouches worked better with dry erase markers, I decided to give it a try. It proved to be true! 5 mil laminating pouches are exactly what I need for all of our homeschooling needs!

Wet-erase Markers

I know you have heard about dry-erase markers but allow me to tell you about wet-erase markers! I love wet-erase markers for the simple reason that they cannot be rubbed away with the simple brush of a sleeve! I use wet-erase markers for my monthly whiteboard calendar and for laminated worksheets! Need to erase something? Simply grab a wet rag or paper towel and you are set!

Stapler

Now, this may be an obvious staple for homeschooling. (Don’t judge me for my play on words.) But I said that I would list all of the things that I MUST have and a stapler made that list! I use it all the time and think every homeschooling momma should have one!

Chromecast

I love homeschooling in the modern days while holding on to the classic approach! I am a visual learner as are my kids and the days I do not have the capability of creating a science project…sometimes YouTube is my solution. I don’t have a smart TV but with the Google Chromecast…I feel like I do. I simply have to cast the video from my computer or phone onto the TV and voila! Houston, we have liftoff!

Paper Trimmer

I can not cut a straight line to save my life! No, seriously! If I were put on a guillotine and the only way they were to let me go would be if I could cut a paper in half by a single straight line…heads would roll. Thankfully, I have a paper trimmer! Recently, my paper trimmer helped me through the agonizing task of cutting 20+ pages of words that came with my son’s curriculum! It took almost two hours but I am thankful I did not have to do it by hand!

Crock-Pot

Now, I know this really does not fall under the category of “school supplies” but I seriously don’t know what I would do if I did not have a crockpot bubbling in the background! I love my crockpots…yes, that is plural! I love to bake but don’t necessarily love to cook… or the time it takes to do so. I enjoy the flexibility of throwing something in the crockpot as I walk out the door and finding it finished when I come home.

Library Card

Can you honestly call yourself a homeschooling momma if you don’t have a library card? I am kidding of course but I do use my library card A LOT! We do not have the financial blessing of being able to purchase all of the books my children read in a year…so, we find all of our latest adventures on our local libraries shelves! Not to mention it is a great place to just get away to!

I hope you find this list helpful. Please comment on what “homeschool” items you cannot live without! I’d love to add to my collection!