Budget With Me for Next Year đź’¸ Real Homeschool Numbers + Spreadsheet Walkthrough
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Release Date: 07/17/2025
8 Weeks Into Homeschool: The Good, The Hard & The Honest Truth ✨ | Making Everyday Magic
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
It’s time for our 8-Week Homeschool Update—and I’m keeping it honest. Eight weeks into the school year is when the real picture starts to form. The excitement has worn off, routines are tested, and you can finally see what’s actually working… and what still feels like chaos. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, I’m sharing the good, the hard, and the honest truth about where we’re at in our homeschool right now. From curriculum choices that are clicking to the ones we’re still navigating, to the daily rhythm that’s keeping us mostly on track (with plenty of grace), this...
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The Dark Side of Forced Socialization (What Homeschoolers Need to Hear) ✨ | Making Everyday Magic
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Stop forcing socialization. Let’s talk about homeschool socialization in a way that’s honest, grounded, and long overdue. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, I’m unpacking the dark side of forced socialization—and why trying to recreate traditional classroom dynamics at home often does more harm than good. So many homeschool parents carry unnecessary stress around socialization. We’re told group learning is the gold standard, that kids need constant peer exposure, and that anything outside that model means they’re “missing out.” But that story doesn’t line up with real...
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Is Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Worth It? 4th Grade MCT Level 2 Review
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Curious if Michael Clay Thompson’s Language Arts Curriculum is worth it for your homeschool? In this episode, I’m giving an honest, real-life look at how we use MCT Level 2, The Town, in our 4th grade homeschool. From grammar and vocabulary to writing and reading comprehension, I share how this curriculum supplement brings language arts to life while keeping learning engaging and fun. You’ll hear what works, how we fit it into our day, and tips for making everyday magic while teaching language arts. If you’re exploring secular homeschool language arts options, looking for practical...
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Time Management For Homeschool Moms | Simple Tips That Actually Work
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Feeling overwhelmed trying to balance homeschool, housework, and everything else on your plate? You are so not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing realistic, practical time management tips for homeschool moms that actually work. From building routines that fit your family to staying on top of lessons without burning out, these strategies are designed to make your homeschool days flow with less stress and more peace. Whether you are just starting out or have been homeschooling for years, you’ll walk away with actionable tips to: ✅ Stay on top of lessons without burnout ✅ Build routines...
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Is MCT Level 5 the Best Language Arts Curriculum for 8th Grade? Honest Review and Insights
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Finding the right homeschool language arts curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially for middle school. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest, in-depth review of the Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts program at Level 5. We dive into grammar, vocabulary, writing, and literature, and I give you a real homeschool mom’s perspective on how this curriculum flows, what we love, and where it might not be the best fit. After years of homeschooling and testing different curricula, I know how important it is to choose something that actually works for your family. If you’re exploring secular...
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Save Money Fast With These Homeschool Tips | Real Budget Hacks That Actually Work
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Homeschooling does not have to be expensive to be effective. In this episode, I am sharing practical homeschool budget hacks that help us save money fast while still providing a solid, meaningful education. These are real strategies we actually use, from finding quality free homeschool resources to making smarter curriculum and supply decisions that stretch your budget without sacrificing learning. If you are feeling the pressure of rising costs or wondering how to homeschool well on a tight budget, this episode will help you rethink what is truly necessary and where you can simplify. These...
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Is Denison Really Worth It for Homeschoolers? An Honest Geometry Curriculum Review
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Choosing a homeschool math curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to balance rigor, confidence, and real understanding. In this episode, I share our honest experience with the Denison geometry curriculum and answer the question so many homeschool parents are asking. Is Denison really worth it for homeschoolers? We talk about how this curriculum functions day to day, what worked well for our family, where the challenges showed up, and who Denison geometry is actually a good fit for. If you are navigating homeschool math, considering Denison algebra or geometry, or...
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The Proven Math U See Strategy That Actually Works for 4th Grade
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
If you’ve been wondering whether Math U See is the right fit for your homeschool, this episode dives into the honest, real-life breakdown you’ve been looking for. Today, I’m sharing the proven strategy that’s been helping our 4th grade math routine click — and why this curriculum continues to surprise me in the best ways. Math doesn’t have to be stressful, overwhelming, or a daily battle. With the right approach, it can actually feel doable and even enjoyable (yes, really). I’m talking about what works, what doesn’t, and the small adjustments that have made a huge difference in...
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Why I Started Making Everyday Magic: Our Homeschool Story
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
If you’ve ever wondered how Making Everyday Magic began, this episode is the heart of it all. Today, I’m opening up about who I am, why I started this journey, and how our homeschool story shaped everything I share here. From the early days of figuring things out, to the messy, real-life moments that pushed me toward creating a space for honest, encouraging homeschool content — this is the story behind it all. And yes… I also try coconut water for the first time, because why not? Inside this personal episode, I’m sharing: • What inspired me to start Making Everyday Magic • How...
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Surprising Lessons From Week One of Homeschool
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Week one of our homeschool year is officially in the books — and wow, did it come with some surprises. In this episode, I’m sharing our honest first impressions of the new homeschool routines, the curriculum we’re testing out, and the little lessons that already shifted how we’re approaching this year. If you love real-life homeschooling without the pressure or perfection, this is the recap you’ll want to hear. We’re talking adjustments, wins, what we didn’t expect, and how we’re already finding the rhythm that makes everyday magic actually possible. Inside this episode, I’m...
info_outlineLet’s get real about homeschool budgeting—because it’s not just about receipts and rows on a spreadsheet. It’s about building the life and learning we actually want. In this Budget With Me for Next Year episode, I’m breaking down every dollar we’ve spent (and are planning to spend) on homeschooling. Yep, real numbers, real categories, and a full walkthrough of our actual homeschool spending spreadsheet.
✨ Whether you’re new to homeschooling or just tired of guessing where the money goes, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a few solid strategies to keep your budget in check—without killing the vibe.
Inside this episode:
đź’° A look inside our actual homeschool budget spreadsheet
🧾 What we’ve already spent—line by line
🎯 How we set flexible goals that still keep us on track
📦 The spending categories we actually prioritize
đź›’ My go-to tips for adjusting without overspending
Budgeting doesn’t have to be boring. Let’s make it make sense—so the numbers support the magic, not suck the joy out of it.
👇 Have budgeting questions, want to know more about our categories, or need spreadsheet tips? Drop them in the comments or message me—I’m here for it.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you love honest homeschool talk that doesn’t shy away from the real stuff. Let’s plan a year that works—on paper and in real life.
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-đź’–Shanna
Just a mama making magic!