yellowshaker,
For what it's worth like YHR I use the cheap ($0.89 per bottle) craft paints from Michaels with a few Tamiya colors thrown in on occasion. I use Testor's Brand Dullcoat in the Aerosol cans (#1260) and then weather with water colors (Reeves brand also at michaels) and weathering pastels.
Like you I found them to be expensive, especially if you use name brands like MIG or CMK. But here is a site from the 1/35th scale world that carries a lot of paint as well as their own line of pigment powders. They are good quality and the amount you get makes it a pretty good deal, as their containers are much larger than most oe the other companies.
Tankrat AFV Depot
http://www.ww2-resources.com/index.p...1937509606cce1
Squid