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SeaStar
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 7:13pm | IP Logged
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My Montessori wish list seems to grow daily- and the costs add up so fast!
I just ordered the CGS album for 3-6 yrs plus the miniature mass kit. That was costly, although I feel it will be a valuable resource based on what I've read here.
The pink tower, cylinders, moveable alphabet... I can see us using all these things. I try to make as much as I can and be creative, but I can't see myself making knobbed cylinders.
Do you budget? I'm only spreading the cost out over two children currently. My in-laws are not receptive to gift requests, and I feel like a lot of the materials are too costly to ask for as gifts.
Should I splurge? I keep telling myself the cost would still be less than a month or two of preschool or private school. Should I pace myself- one large item every month or two?
I know everyone's situation is different, but how do you handle the cost of high quality supplies?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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I just talked to Mary Chris today about a similar problem. I don't want to do this willy-nilly. There is so much information, so many possibilities, but I can't do it all, nor can I afford it. I need some hand holding or one definite place that says set up A,B,C, budget this, and it will work for 3-5 yo at home. Dh needs to see a plan and a budget, too.
As you can see, I don't have an answer, Melinda...waiting to hear others.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 7:37pm | IP Logged
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The only thing I have done up until the last couple of weeks is to prepare list of desired presentations for the next few months, figure out what I can make myself, and search the internet for cheaper alternatives for the remaining items - and when all other ideas have been exhausted, purchase the most inexpensive one I can find. This way, I'm only focusing on what we will actually be using (giving a bit of tunnel vision - those others things I want will have to wait until later). It's not a perfect system, but it's been working for us.
The nice thing is that 'bought' stuff you know will last quite a long time, through several children, paying its own way. If still in good condition, it can be re-sold for a decent amount, bringing the long-term cost down. That doesn't help NOW, of course!
:)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 8:25pm | IP Logged
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I'm a little concerned about this myself - I need to be logical and organized so I don't overspend. Here's what I'm doing:
1. Printed off everything I could - presentations from MWEI , blog posts from Montessori for Everyone (she has some great recommendations), read through the Hainstock books and some M.Montessori books, really tried to get a feel for what I wanted to accomplish in my home and balance that with reality (cranky toddler, dinner, laundry)
2. Read through all the presentations and made a list of the skills I really wanted to focus on Montessori style just for this year. I've got 3 kids - one in each age group  - so planning here was priority driven - who needed what most. Fortunately buying most pieces translates into beneficial activities for all - that helps to think of spreading the cost of say the knobbed cylinders across 3 kids rather than thinking of buying one expensive object. So....I made my list and then broke it down. Some things could be made easily enough, but a lot were what I consider investment pieces that had to be bought.
3. Next, time to scour the internet. So far the most affordable place I've found to order is Kid Advance - they even beat Alison's Montessori.
4. Then, I put everything in my cart that I WANT to buy to assess the damage. Yikes! This is where I am now. On to the final stage before purchase...
5. Whittling it down. I'm going to have to pull a few things out of the basket I fear. My husband hasn't given me a set budget, but I generally do need to justify to him what I want to purchase so he can make sure some thought went into it. Ultimately, I let my dh help set some limits, and he is usually very generous (or as generous as circumstances allow him to be) with us.
My preference is to order everything at once. I generally don't have good luck piece-mealing things out during the year. It just seems that life gets busy, and the order just doesn't get placed, then I feel disappointed like I should have siezed the moment when I had one. I'm not sure if this has helped you at all in the decision making process. I'm somewhat dizzy at my $$total so far, but I need to remind myself that I already have some great things for next year - Catholic Mosaic, CGS, great books, awesome science through Nature Study plans. I cannot allow myself to get so wrapped up in all things Montessori that I forget to balance. Virtue always lies in the middle. I'm going to let that be my mantra as I go back to my shopping cart tonight and decide what is going to stay and what is going to go. Good luck ladies. I'm going to start another thread to see what others have finally decided to order.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Meredith
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| Posted: May 30 2007 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
Do you budget? I'm only spreading the cost out over two children currently. My in-laws are not receptive to gift requests, and I feel like a lot of the materials are too costly to ask for as gifts.
Should I splurge? I keep telling myself the cost would still be less than a month or two of preschool or private school. Should I pace myself- one large item every month or two?
I know everyone's situation is different, but how do you handle the cost of high quality supplies? |
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These are great questions and we definately budget this in, just as if we were sending our dc to Private Schools. I see the materials as an investment for sure, just like all our living books, they will NOT go out of style any time soon 
I really like your idea of adding an item (especially if it is on the pricey side) every couple of months or so. It will stretch it out for you and there really won't be any *time* lost without that particular item. Maybe break your list into absolutely must have (can't make) and the items that you will be able to present within the next 6 months. That way you'll have a gauge at how much the item will be used and see what comes next on the list.
I hope this is helpful, we're all in the buying and adding to our current materials mode it seems, so this is VERY timely, thanks so much for bringing it up!!
Blessings!
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
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Angel
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 7:38am | IP Logged
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Like Meredith, I view buying real books and Montessori materials as an investment that can be spread across all my children. (When I saw how much Calvert costs *every year*, I didn't feel so bad about my purchases that can be used over and over again down the line!!) We don't really have a budget per se, but we kind of see what we have to spend after bills, groceries, etc. Most things are spread out throughout the year, but once a year my dh gets a lump sum payment that accounts for a big chunk of his salary. We give some of it to charity, put most of it away, and then divvy up the rest among home improvements, any necessary items, and curriculum. It's kind of a different situation, though.
ETA: Also, when I'm trying to figure out what to buy, I always start with what I think will get the *most* use by the *most* kids.
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 8:05am | IP Logged
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CatholicMommy and Jennifer's approaches make sense, that was the direction I was headed. Plan my presentations and get the materials needed for them.
That could be spread out, because not all the presentations are done at the same time. Isn't it said at the beginning of the year the shelves are empty in a Montessori school and things aren't added until the materials are presented?
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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Jenn,
We start with mats - and present how to use the mats on the first day. Then I slowly add to the shelves, but lots comes out, because I'm presenting different activities for the three kids - all in different age groups. I start with practical life stuff because I find it instills a great sense of pride to instantly accomplish something, and teaches valuable lessons in terms of tidying. Sweeping, dusting, window cleaning, sorting and scooping activities. I tried to make sure I introduced one thing that requires the use of the mat just to reinforce that presentation, and to continue to reinforce the whole "tidy the activity, and roll up the mat" idea. After that, I started bringing out the bigger guns - lock box, matreshka dolls, etc. I'm behind the curve though this summer. I wanted to put everything away in my storage closet, but haven't yet which has resulted in "pull out the lock box and stuff every single small stuffed animal in there and lock them in." Now that I have my list figured out, and have left it in the hands of my wise and discerning husband, my goal is to tackle that closet!!!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: How do you spread out the cost?
