Habitat ReStores can be goldmines—I picked up some brand-new tile there last year for almost half the retail price. Just gotta be flexible on style and quantity, since their inventory can be pretty hit or miss. Another good spot is local flooring stores; sometimes they have clearance sections or discontinued lines they're eager to offload cheap. Doesn't hurt to ask around...saved me a decent chunk on my kitchen remodel.
Habitat and clearance sections are great, but honestly, sometimes chasing those deals can end up costing you more in time and hassle. Last year I grabbed some discounted hardwood flooring from a local shop's clearance sale—thought I scored big. Turns out, I underestimated the waste factor, and when I went back for more, they were completely out. Ended up scrambling to match it elsewhere, which was a headache. Saving money is awesome, but sometimes paying a bit more upfront for guaranteed availability can save your sanity down the line...
Been there myself with clearance tile—thought I'd nailed it, but ended up short by about half a box. Of course, by the time I realized, the store had cleared out every last piece. Spent weeks hunting down a close enough match, and even then, it still bugs me every time I walk past that spot in the kitchen.
Honestly, clearance deals can be great, but you've gotta factor in some extra padding for waste or mistakes. Learned the hard way to always grab a bit more than the recommended 10% extra when it's a limited stock situation. And if it's something super visible or critical—like flooring or backsplash—I usually bite the bullet and pay a little more upfront for peace of mind. Saving money's nice, but not if it costs you sleep or sanity later on...
I feel your pain on this one. Had a similar experience with laminate flooring a few years back—thought I'd measured perfectly, but didn't account enough for all those weird cuts around doorways and closets. Ended up scrambling to find something close enough to blend in. Now I can't unsee the slightly off-color patch in the hallway...
You're right about clearance stuff though; it's tempting, but you really gotta be careful. One thing I've learned is to always round up generously when calculating materials, especially if it's discontinued or limited stock. And if you're dealing with something that's front-and-center every day, like kitchen tile or bathroom fixtures, sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves you from headaches down the road. But hey, live and learn, right? At least now you've got a good story (and some hard-earned wisdom) for next time.
Been there myself with clearance paint once—thought I'd scored big, but halfway through realized I was short and the color was discontinued. Ended up mixing something close enough, but now the wall behind my couch has this subtle two-tone thing going on. Lesson learned: clearance deals are great, but always buy extra or stick to stuff that's easy to match. Sometimes saving a few bucks just isn't worth the hassle later...
