If you're flexible with your paint colors, there are two great ways to save on painting. "Oops" paint that was mixed incorrectly or a customer didn't end up buying is available in the paint department of most hardware stores and can go for a fraction of the price of regular paint. Recycled paint is often available for free or at low prices from local municipalities and waste management departments. Another way to save money is to select a paint that requires fewer coats, says Bob Markovich, home editor for Consumer Reports. That means you can buy less paint and still finish the job. Markovich recommends Home Depot's Behr brand, which led Consumer Reports' latest ratings in both performance and price.