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8 Money-Saving Secrets Home Depot Employees Want You to Know

Whether you're a frequent shopper or you just need to pick up a screwdriver, here's how to save major money.

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dead dry plant in pot
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You can return your dead plants

If plants tend to die as soon as they come into your care, you might consider buying them exclusively from the Home Depot. Why? Because the retailer promises to take the plants back if they die within a year. (The official policy: “The Home Depot unconditionally guarantees all tropical, house, and landscape plants (only perennials, trees, and shrubs) for one year. A perennial is a plant that is expected to live for more than two years.”) If you return the plant within 90 days, you’ll get a refund. After that, you can exchange the plant for a new one or receive store credit. Just make sure to keep your original receipt. Heading to Costco next? These are the 15 Costco secrets employees won’t tell you.

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You can rent tools instead of buying them

When it comes to expensive tools, why buy when you can rent? Home Depot offers rentals on everything from drain cleaners and floor finishers to tractors and chip shredders. You’ll pay a fraction of the price, and won’t need to clear out space in your garage for the new gadget when you’re done. These home items at Home Depot will also save you money.

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Asians are using fire to bring silverware to add to the beauty of diamonds were paired together ,Learning skills concept.
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There are free DIY workshops

You might’ve heard that nothing in life comes free, but that’s not true at the Home Depot. The retailer offers free classes for kids and adults. Kids’ classes include making crafts like window birdhouses and periscopes, while adult courses range from “Installing a Vanity” to “Making a Bookshelf Planter.” Keep in mind that you’ll have to purchase your own supplies. Besides that, it’s a perfectly free way to learn a new skill and possibly even make a new friend. These are the easy weekend projects that increase the value of your home.

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Find super-cheap scrap wood

If you need wood for a project and don’t care if it’s not in perfect condition, check the Home Depot’s cull lumber rack first. The wood there is often up to 70 percent off. Most of these scraps are pieces of wood that are slightly damaged or leftover from a previous customer.

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Paying with credit card online
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Check online for discounts

In addition to checking homedepot.com for special offers, you’ll want to scope out websites like Groupon and RetailMeNot. You might be able to find discount codes or coupons. If you’re a member of the military, you’re entitled to a 10 percent discount year-round.

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A female hand circling the date of the 15th day in the calendar
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Know when to go

If you’ve got a big purchase coming up, it might be worth it to wait for a big sale weekend to come around. The Home Depot regularly slashes prices on holidays such as President’s Day, Black Friday, and Labor Day.

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Red and white shopping bags from recycle paper with percent sign on gray background. Black friday or Christmas sales.
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Beat a competitor’s price, and get an 110% match

Yep, you read that right. If you find a lower price on an identical item at a local competitor’s store, the Home Depot will match the price, plus take off 10 percent. A little effort could go a long way. Don’t miss these 11 secrets to saving money at Target.

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Colorful sample paint pots
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Scoop up the “mistake paint”

In each Home Depot paint department, you’ll find an “oops” rack. The paints on these racks are heavily discounted, but not because there’s anything wrong with them. Often, they were simply ordered in the wrong color, or another customer decided to leave a bucket behind. Either way, if you’re working on a small project and aren’t attached to a color, it’s worth checking out these paints first.

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Sign up for texts

If you’re a frequent Home Depot shopper, it’s worth it to sign up for their text messages just to be in the know about special promotions and offers. But even if you’re making a one-time stop, you’ll want to add your name to the list. The retailer offers $5 off a $50 purchase just for signing up.

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Look for the yellow tags

At the Home Depot, a yellow tag means an item is on sale. On top of that, if the price ends in $.03, it means the item is at the lowest price it will reach before it’s cleared out. These are our 56 favorite ways to save money—starting now.