Gift Cards/Incentives - cost saving strategies for buying materials

[Kirk R.]

What are some cost saving strategies people use to buy materials from Lowes/Home Depot/Menards etc.

I am planning to close on a house on the 23rd of January.  It needs 4 to 6 windows replaced.  Windows total will probably run around $600 total.

After closing, I was planning to open a new mastercard/visa account to get $100 if I spend $500 in the first 3 months  I know my bro in law has a mastercard that gives him 3% back in cash on what he spends.

Also there are some web sites that I can buy home depot gift cards 10% off.

Do any other BP members start combining these to reduce their costs?  I would think it would really be worth it if you were spending a bunch as a builder/rehabber?

What are the innovative ways you've saved money on materials?

[Elizabeth Colegrove]

If we get the house we are currently working on. It will need a total paint job. I was thinking about combining the 10% military discount with the gift discount, along with getting points for putting it all on my credit card.