as subject says.
once im done painting I think i will want foam for them
Foam... for what? I don't get it. To store them in?
I recommend one of those fancy cream guns they always use on cooking shows.
I also recommend that I stop giving recommendations. ;)
I recommend that you continue giving recommendations.
yes to store them
i am relatively new to painting but would like to protect them if I spend the time painting
Matte varnish and a cardboard box. No need for fancy overpriced carrycases 
(This has been said before, but just so newer folks here it...)
Recommendation: Gloss varnish, then (multiple coats of) matte varnish. That way, when the matte starts wearing down, you will hit the gloss varnish and can tell it needs a new coat - instead of hitting paint and ruining the figure.
Wasn't there someone who recommended a floor polish or something that made the minis indestructible?
You should actually only need one coat of matte varnish. If you want more than 2 total coats, use multiple coats of gloss and then one matte over them. Overall protection will be better that way.
thanks for the tips
I dunno about indestructible, but Future floor polish (Pledge with Future Shine now I think) is commonly used on minis. It's pretty much pure acrylic and quite strong. I use it on polymer clay and while it does scratch off if you make a proper effort to destroy it, I suspect ordinary gloss varnish will do that too. In the UK it's called Johnson's Klear, but I think the new formula doesn't really work. You want the old stuff in the clear bottle.
Lots of info about it out there on the 'net if you're interested.