Modern Homeschool

Ep 9 How Much Does Homeschool Actually Cost? (Plus the Scholarship Most Families Miss)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You're listening to Episode 9 of Modern Homeschool. Today we're tackling the question I get most: how much does homeschool actually cost? I'm walking you through our real Year 1 budget (under $1,000 for the whole year), where to save, where to splurge, AND a deep dive into the Florida Personalized Education Program scholarship, about $8,000 per child per year that most families don't know exists. Plus a non-Florida segment so everyone walks away with something. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let's get into it!

Episode Highlights:

1. The honest Year 1 breakdown: curriculum, supplies, apps, field trips, co-op

2. Where to save and where to splurge

3. What the PEP scholarship is and how it works

4. Who qualifies for PEP and how the ESA reimbursement model works

5. How to apply for PEP through Step Up For Students

6. ESA programs in other states: where to look

7. The under-$200 ideal Year 1 starting place

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Step Up For Students PEP: https://stepupforstudents.org

AAA Scholarship Foundation: https://aaascholarships.org

Disclaimer: I'm a homeschool mom sharing what we did and what I've learned. I'm not a financial advisor or a legal advisor. Verify scholarship program details and your state's requirements before making decisions for your family.

HSLDA State Laws: https://hslda.org/legal

Khan Academy: https://khanacademy.org

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 8 Is Homeschool Right for Your Family? 7 Questions to Ask Before You Decide

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You're listening to Episode 8 of Modern Homeschool. June is the month moms quietly start asking themselves the big question: is homeschool actually right for our family? Today I'm walking you through the seven questions I think every family should sit with before deciding, including the gut check most people skip. This isn't about convincing you. It's about helping you actually decide. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let's get into it!

Episode Highlights:

1. Identifying your real why (not the surface one)

2. The "what does your kid need" gut check

3. How to look honestly at your family's actual daily life

4. Why budget is rarely the real barrier (and what's coming next week)

5. How to have a real conversation with your partner

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

HSLDA State Laws: https://hslda.org/legal

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 7 How to Create a Simple Homeschool Schedule and Routine

Mon, 25 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You're listening to Episode 7 of Modern Homeschool. Today, we're tackling one of the most searched topics in the homeschool world: how to create a schedule that actually works. I'm breaking down the difference between a schedule and a routine, walking you through 5 steps to build your own, and sharing practical advice for working moms too. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let's get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. Schedule vs. routine: the distinction that changes everything

2. How to identify your non-negotiables before you plan a single subject

3. Finding your family's best learning window

4. How to sequence subjects for maximum focus and flow

5. Homeschool scheduling tips specifically for working moms

6. What to do when your schedule stops working

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Outschool: https://outschool.com/teachers/Chantal-Macias

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 6 How to Start Homeschooling Step-by-Step (Part 2 of 2)

Mon, 18 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You're listening to Episode 6 of Modern Homeschool - Part 2 of our two-part series on how to start homeschooling step-by-step. Today we're getting practical: how to choose your homeschool approach, pick curriculum without overspending, set up a simple learning space, and start your very first week without losing your mind. If you missed Part 1 last week, go back and listen to Episode 5 first! My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let's get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. Quick recap of Part 1 (the foundational steps)

2. An overview of homeschool approaches: Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, Traditional, and Eclectic

3. How to choose beginner-friendly curriculum without overspending and the mistake to avoid

4. How to set up a simple learning space (without a dedicated room!)

5. What your first week of homeschool can actually look like

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org

Outschool: https://outschool.com/teachers/Chantal-Macias

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 5 How to Start Homeschooling Step-by-Step (Part 1 of 2)

Mon, 11 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You're listening to Episode 5 of Modern Homeschool - Part 1 of our two-part series on how to start homeschooling step-by-step. Today, we're covering the four foundational steps you need to take BEFORE you buy a curriculum or set up a single shelf. Whether you're pulling your child out of public school next month or just exploring the idea, this episode gives you the mindset and groundwork to start strong. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let's get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. Why this is a 2-part series and what you'll learn in each

2. How to check your state's homeschool laws (and what to actually look for)

3. What deschooling is and why it might be the most important step

4. How to get clear on your why before choosing anything else

5. Understanding your child's learning style and how to spot it

6. What's coming in Part 2 next week

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

HSLDA State Laws: https://hslda.org/legal

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 4 A Kid’s Perspective on Homeschool (with Ari)

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:03:00 -0400

You’re listening to Episode 4 of Modern Homeschool and today, I’m joined by my daughter, Aria, and we’re diving into how she felt before she started and how she feels about homeschooling now, what a normal homeschool day looks like, what she likes/dislikes about it, something people think that isn’t true, her top 3 places to learn outside our home, and what she would say to a kid who is nervous about being homeschooled. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let’s get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. How Ari felt before she started and how she feels about homeschooling now

2. What a normal homeschool day looks like

3. What she likes/dislikes about it

4. Something people think that isn’t true about homeschooling

5. Her top 3 places to learn outside our home

6. What Ari would say to a kid who is nervous about being homeschooled

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 3 Why My Husband Said YES to Homeschooling (with Laz)

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:02:00 -0400

You’re listening to Episode 3 of Modern Homeschool and today, I’m joined by my husband, Laz, and we’re diving into why he was confident homeschooling was the best option for us, the fears that didn’t scare him (and why), and what support actually looks like from his perspective. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let’s get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. Why he was confident homeschooling was the best option for us

2. The fears that didn’t scare him (and why)

3. What support actually looks like from his perspective

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 2 What Modern Homeschool Actually Looks Like

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:01:00 -0400

You’re listening to Episode 2 of Modern Homeschool and we’re diving into what people think homeschool looks like, what modern homeschool actually looks like, a real day in our homeschool, and why it works for us. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let’s get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. What people think homeschool looks like

2. What modern homeschool actually looks like

3. A real day in our homeschool

4. Why it works for us

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Connect with your podcast host:

Ep 1 Why We Chose Homeschool After Public School

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You’re listening to Episode 1 of Modern Homeschool and we’re diving into who I am, our public school experience, the turning point for our family, and how homeschooling is going so far. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let’s get started!

Episode Highlights:

1. Who I am

2. Our public school experience

3. The turning point for our family

4. How homeschooling is going so far

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Connect with your podcast host:

Welcome to Modern Homeschool

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

You’re listening to the trailer of Modern Homeschool. We’re diving into what this show is about and what you can expect to hear. My mission is to help modern families homeschool with structure, flexibility, and a life they love, so let’s get started!

FREE Homeschool Weekly Planner: https://www.chantymacias.com/weeklyplanner

Getting Started With Homeschool Guide: https://www.chantymacias.com/guide

Connect with your podcast host: