Oops There It Is
By: Pam Melton
The cheapest way to recreate your space is paint. I love paint; it can transform anything and generally takes more time than money. As with most things, I take a very cost efficient approach to paint. The best thing since perforated toilet paper when it comes to paint is the Oops bin. Every store that carries paint has an Oops Bin - they may call it something else, but dusty rose by any other name...
Upcoming painting project or not, take a look at the mis-tints or "oops" paints just to see if there's a color that you like. You can get specialty paints for a fraction of their regular price. When you get ready for a project, the stuff you need will already be there! There are a couple things to remember.
- Keep the quantities in mind. More than one gallon of paint is often required to do a room. If you find that you will require more than you were able to acquire at oops prices, you can have more tinted. You still save money on the overall project.
- Paint does get old. You can tell if paint has gone bad by the smell. I can't really describe it, but you will definitely know it when you smell it. I have used paint that's more than 5 years old; it depends on the paint and storage conditions. I guarantee you that every paint manufacturer and professional painter on the planet think that I have just blasphemed. What can I tell ya, I live in the real world. Make sure the lid is on tight, and the storage temperature stays pretty constant, to retard the aging process as much as possible.
- Strain-strain-strain. While this is especially true if you spray (which I do a lot), it helps when you're brushing or rolling as well. Whether you use cheesecloth, strainer bag, cone strainer, or even a cheap, handheld kitchen strainer; whether the paint is an hour old, or a year old - strain it! Mix well and strain. Especially if it's old paint. Straining ensures that any clumps or debris that have settled beyond your ability to mix, doesn't turn a could-be-fun project into a pain in the patoot.
Share any ideas that you have when it comes to pinching a few pennies in the spirit of home beautification. 
