"Oops" paint

I've just learned about this Compact-y way to buy paint. I've heard a lot of people express concern about doing The Compact because they'll be remodeling their home.

Well, it's getting easier than ever. With Freecycle and Craigslist, you can pick up major appliances at a discount, sometimes even free. And now with "Oops" paint from Home Depot, you can improve your surroundings with recycled paint. And it will cost you a lot less.

You'll have to be a little flexible about the color, because "Oops" paint is basically paint that someone bought and didn't like for one reason or another. Now you benefit by getting it for as little as $1 to $5 a gallon. So if you want to paint your office, or your bedroom, or any other room in your house, head over to Home Depot and ask to see their selection of "Oops" paint. And if they don't have anything you like, be patient. Go back in a week, and the selection will have changed.

Click here to read an eHow article that gives all the details. What a great way to get a quick home improvement without spending a lot of money.

Update: One of my readers has informed me that "Oops" paint is available at any hardware or paint store. So it's not just a Home Depot thing. She advises that if you mix colors, just make sure they're the same sheen: flat, semi-gloss, etc. Thanks for the information, Ellen. You can check out Ellen's blog at Within My Means. She's an incredible stained glass artist, an amazing gardener (really- you won't believe the photos), and seems to have never met a project she didn't want to tackle. As a bonus, if you live in Los Angeles, she's always up on fun things to do. I learn so much from my readers.

Have you ever tried "Oops" paint? Do you have any other Compact-y home improvement tips? Let us know in the Comments section.