Unlike a new table or bookshelf, a printer costs more than the money you spend buying it because it will always need paper and ink refills. Still, having a printer at home is so much more convenient than using a computer at work or school, that a lot of people are willing to eat the cost. On the other hand, replacing your printer ink cartridges shouldn't be so expensive that it cuts into grocery money.

If you are tired of spending a fortune on printer cartridge refills, there are several ways to save on ink costs. The first and simplest is to make sure that your document or photo is the way you want it before you print. For example, a spelling error or the wrong margin settings could mean you have to print off several more pages; wasting valuable ink.

The second thing you can do is make sure that your ink cartridge is empty before you throw it out. Like your car its fuel light, your computer will usually send out low ink warnings long before you run out of juice. Consequently, if you jump the gun and replace the cartridge early, you won't get the full use out of your investment.

The third thing you can do is to completely stop throwing those ink cartridges out. Instead of buying a whole new cartridge, try to find a business in your area that will refill existing cartridges for a fraction of the cost. After all, the ink is the cheapest ingredient that goes into print ink cartridge production. If you choose this route you will be saving the environment as well as a little money.

And finally, if you can't find a company that provides refills, the least you can do is avoid name-brand cartridges like the plague. Name-brands definitely will work inside your printer, but they are almost always more expensive than alternative cartridges that are just as compatible and efficient. A lot of people are scared to branch out to new products because they think low costs equal low quality results. If the company you are looking at has earned an ISO9001-2000 certification, you don't need to worry about reliability though.

These are pretty simple tips, but they can save you a lot of money. Buying alternate name-brands alone can cut your costs by fifty or seventy-five percent. And, if you order the cartridges online, they can be shipped right to your door.