SAFETY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR WALLET! 

Many things about painting can easily be surprising or simply overlooked by the first-time or novice do-it-yourselfer (D-I-Y). Let's tackle the SAFETY part first and then we'll discuss ECONOMICS.

SAFETY FIRST .......

1. Whether the paint is oil-based (alkyd) or water-based (latex), use caution and wear disposable gloves at all times. Allergies usually aren't detected before they strike unless you're tested and latex or solvent allergies can be severe.
2. Basic safety clothing when you are using paint products you are unfamiliar with: safety goggles, disposable gloves, disposable paper-type coveralls and a charcoal respirator (when recommended).
3. If you're painting with a coating that needs to have parts mixed, requires a mask or special clothing, please do not take chances with your health. Request the material safety data sheets (MSDS) from your retailer and keep them close to where you are doing the work. (Retailers should provide these for you without question or hesitation; you shouldn't even have to ask but sometimes reminders are necessary.)
4. Advise a family member or friend about the job you're going to do before you get started, particularly if you're doing it alone. Let him/her know where the MSDS are located in case you are overcome by fumes or have an allergic reaction and are unable to tell them anything. The doctors or emergency personnel attending to you will need to know as quickly as possible what you've been exposed to.
5. Never allow children, the elderly or pets to become exposed to the fumes or physical product without proper protection. This is true for anyone but these categories are the most vulnerable and require special attention.
6. Do not store oil-based paints or the solvents associated with them inside your home. A shed or garage are much safer places for these; a shed is preferred if the garage is attached to the house. Improperly sealed or punctured cans can allow fumes to escape, creating a respiratory hazard for anyone that is sensitive to this (see #4). Keep in mind that oil-based paint won't freeze but will become very thick when exposed to extreme cold. Be sure to let them gradually return to room temperature before putting them back in use.
7. When storing liquid paints and other chemical-based coatings, keep the cans or containers on low shelves where they can be easily reached. High shelves or racking are just asking for accidents. Cans can be stuck or unlevel and if undetected, reaching for them creates a falling objects hazard, possible spills on skin or in eyes and mouth, unsafe floor surfaces because of spills, etc. 
8. Because the containers are being stored in readily accessible areas where children or pets can reach, be sure they are closed beyond a possibility of them being touched. Safety caps for twist top type containers and metal can clips for paint can lids are both easy to purchase and go a long way in the name of safety. Your retailer will likely sell you products with safety caps already on the containers. For metal can clips for paint can lids, many retailers offer them as a service to prevent damage if the can accidentally falls over when you are taking the paint home in your car. If they don't offer, just ask for them. Better still, the ideal solution is a locking cabinet in your garage or shed for such products. 
9. Always dispose of unwanted or leftover products safely. Most local fire departments can offer to take your chemicals from you at no charge or for a nominal donation. Many have several "round-ups" per year and it is wise to take advantage of this valuable service. 

NOW WE'LL SAVE SOME MONEY .......

1. Have leftover paint? Seal the can tightly and store it upside down! The reason? The only way air can get into the paint can is through the lid. That's what causes oil paint to get so thick or latex paint to form a hard "skin" on the surface over long periods of time. Turning the can upside down creates a vacuum within the can; air can't get in, so the water or solvent can't evaporate out! Invest in an inexpensive plastic paint can pour spout (merely cents) to make it even easier to clean the lip on the lid and get a tighter seal for storage.
2. Buy your roller sleeves in bulk packs; trust me, you'll use them over time. They're much cheaper than buying individually wrapped ones and the quality is likely, if not identical, almost the same. Packages of 6 or 10 are easy to find in most stores. This way, when you throw one away after you're done instead of wasting your precious time washing it, it won't bother you too much.
3. In between coats of paint, don't throw that roller sleeve away just yet. Take a piece of plastic wrap and completely cover the sleeve all over. Then, squeeze it all over until no air bubbles remain under the plastic. If the air bubbles are gone, the paint can't harden and the roller sleeve will be as good as a new one for the second coat.
4. Don't completely cheap out when buying a brush. The throw-away brushes available are generally not too good when doing picky things like door trim or painting furniture. Basically, judge what you spend on the brush with the importance of the work. Staining the fence probably won't require an expensive brush but that restored baby crib will deserve a good quality tool. If you decide to buy a cheapo, follow this rule especially for any oil-based paint: don't dip the brush further than half way up the bristles. Any further and the solvent in the paint will get inside the brush and loosen the glue holding the bristles, making them fall out. This is a good rule for most paint brushes (with some it won't apply because the bristles are woven or sewn in) but imperative for the cheaply glued ones. 
5. Invest in a multi-purpose tool such as a 6-in-1 or 9-in 1. Most paint stores will have them and they are irreplaceable. Imagine having something that helps remove the nails from the wall before you paint (nail-puller), lifts loose or flaking paint (paint scraper), opens the cans (can opener), scrapes the excess paint from the roller sleeve with a concave edge (I have no idea what to call that!), etc. These tools will keep you from wasting time trying to find all the others. A must have for the tool box of any D-I-Y. 
6. Canvas drop cloths are one of the best investments you can make. They are washable and reuseable for years. The material provides a non-slip surface to walk on (unlike plastic sheeting) and comes in a variety of sizes. Some of the most common dimensions are 4'x12' (wall runner or stairs), 8'x12' (room size) and 14'x12' (combination rooms, ie L/R and D/R). Very cost effective over time.
7. Storing latex or water-based paints in the house or a heated garage is necessary. These products will freeze in cold temperatures and can become useless very quickly. Some people still have a problem with water-based products freezing, though, even when they store them in the basement. The likely reason is that the paint can was stored directly on the concrete floor. The concrete will conduct the cold from under ground and transfer it to the metal can, also a conductor of temperature. The easiest solution, if you can't store it on a low shelf (see #7, SAFETY FIRST), is to slip a piece of carpeting or doubled cardboard underneath. This breaks the contact between concrete and metal, keeping your paint in good condition until you are ready to use it again. 
8. Most retailers have mistinted gallons in their stores available for resale. Don't mistake these for errors on the part of the retailer. While some might be (after all, nobody's perfect), many may be due to customers that changed their minds about the color or the finish (shiny vs. dull). Take advantage of these and you can get some terriffic deals. Commonly, mistinted paint is sold for about $2 per quart/litre, $6 per gallon/4 litre can and $25 per 5 gallon/20 litre pail. These prices are only a guideline and may vary quite a bit with regard to product type, etc. Taxes are still applicable but the savings are huge. Just remember that all sales of these are FINAL, are sold AS IS and you need to be flexible about your color choices if this is going to work for you.

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I hope that these tips and tricks have given you some insight and confidence in becoming a D-I-Y! Most of these ideas are commonly known to experienced painters and paint vendors so why shouldn't you have the same know-how? Please be sure to check out all my other guides for more ideas and helpful hints on painting. Best of luck with your project!

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