Modeling on the cheap

Well, it's Labor Day and that means one thing for me, back to teaching (or work).  I actually worked all last week and as calendar turns to September today, my modeling time will be limited to evenings.  I wanted to do an interesting blog post and thought of it today.  Modeling on the cheap.  If your like me, I find the cheapest price that I can find and somethings you only have one place you can get an item.  This goes for all modeling items like sound decoders, locos, freight cars, scenic items and the like.  Not being close to a hobby shop also limits my going out and buying things.  So what are some of the ways I save money in this expensive hobby:

• My favorite online place is MB Kleins.  Their prices are rarely beat and they ship quick. http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/

• Scenic Express:  They have the best scenic supplies hands down and run specials every week.                http://www.scenicexpress.com/
• Train shows:  These are the hidden jewels, especially the smaller ones.  Great deals can always be found.
• Home Depot:  I go here for most of my lumber since it's close and pay full price but you can find paint that customers did not want for cheap.  Got a sample earth color the other day for fifty cents!      These samples are more manageable than the gallon cans.
•   AC Moore:  I go here for many items and I never pay full price.  Brushes, Dullcote, Elmers       glue (big jugs), paint (spray, oils and acrylics) florist foam, etc.  They always run coupons  in the paper, your email address or even on their app for your smart phones.   On top of it, they give a 15% discount to teachers ;-).  Yesterday I went there to get some materials for a water scene and had a 55% off one item coupon.   Michael's is OK but a high traffic area in my neck of the woods!
• I have also built a static grass applicator from an electric flyswatter.  Pretty easy to do.  I'm always saving items to use for modeling purposes like storage containers and anything I think I might can use.  Let me know of any of your tricks you may have in the comments below!