"Whoaa this could cost a fortune!"

So, I've been thinking a lot about curriculum for next year with a 3rd grader and a kinder.  I could easily be a curriculum junkie but I hold back.  My bank account simply cannot stand for it.  So instead, I content myself with being a virtual curriculum junkie, reading for hours and obsessing about what might be THE BEST for my family.

I put together lists of all the curriculum I would love to have and would just make homeschooling easy and fun and SUCCESSFUL!  Then I add it up and say "Whoaa, this is gonna cost a fortune!"    

Homeschooling is already a major drain on my family financially as it is on many I'm sure.  Lost income from not working full time adds up. I think it is worth it but still don't want to add insult to injury by spending thousands of dollars on curriculum and related supplements.  For 2nd grade, I spent about $400.00 including a download of Math Mammoth 1st-6th, art supplies, a skeleton kit, and a magnet kit.  Most of what I bought can be reused with Lu when she is in 2nd grade or earlier in the case of BFSU.    All in all, I think I did well at keeping costs down and still getting some great stuff.  Only a few workbooks were consumable but those were under $10 each.

Then, I look at my wishlist for next fall and I wonder if it is really necessary.  So I go back and start re-evaluating each item and cutting many out.  Cross-outs indicate things I think I've talked myself out of, parentheses indicate things I'd really like but haven't decided on for sure.  Here is a summary so far:
For Bel 3rd grade

• Beast Academy $108 - already have Math Mammoth
• (Life of Fred Apples-Dogs $60.00)  non-consummable, maybe the ticket for Bel to actually like Math - of course, that's just the first four books- more money would have to be spent in future if she likes them
• (Michael Clay Thompson Grammar Series $150) or (FLL level 3 $48.00 plus something for spelling/vocab)
• WWE 3 $35.00
• BFSU book 2  $25
• Science lab equipment for BFSU: triple beam balance, microscope, slides, rock/mineral kits, other  $300+ 
• Story of the World 2 Middle Ages with Activity Guide $35.00
• History Oddyssey Middle Ages required books $90
• Artistic Pursuits  book two with materials $100
• Piano Adventures Level One $20
• lots of library books - free

For Lu Kindy

• Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading or Phonics Pathways $20
• Magnetic letter tiles and board $30
• (Explode the Code books $30)
• Right Start Math $75
• All About Reading $130
• (Five in a Row $25)
• Handwriting book $12
• BFSU - already have
• tag along with Bel for History
• Extra Art Supplies $30
• Animal/Letter of the week - free

Even my pared down list adds up to major bucks!  I know there are plenty of homeschoolers out there who spend far less and many who spend far more.  I don't mind spending some but have really been re-evaluating my need for curriculum in general.  I wish I had the confidence to buy less stuff but I feel like I need the structure of curriculum to make sure the kids are on track.

Also, one of the biggest expenses is Science equipment.  I think most good science programs include this stuff at some point and it should last throughout our schooling years.  Science is a major priority so I can justify this expense plus some of it could come as gifts.  

How much do you spend?  Where do you prioritize?