Save a Buck: Cut Printout Costs

If you print a lot of pages from your computer, you know the kink of printer ink: Cartridges are expensive—$20 each or more—and don’t seem to last very long before they need to be replaced.

Here are some ways to cut the cost of making printouts:

• Download Ecofont. With tiny holes in its letters that are barely noticeable at the typical 10-point size, this font, based on Verdana, uses up to 20 percent less ink than comparable ones, making it ideal for everyday prints. A free download for PCs and Macs is available.
• When printing from the Web, use the “print preview” function, especially when no printer-friendly option is offered. By previewing the pages you can print only those that you need. There’s also GreenPrint, a free program that automatically removes blank pages and banner ads—saving you paper as well as ink.
• Although retailers such as Staples and Office Depot offer a $3 rebate to recycle empty printer cartridges­—good for the environment as well as your wallet—a refill kit, which provides enough ink to refill cartridges about five times, saves you about $200 a year. Some stores, including Walgreens, also refill cartridges for about half the cost of a replacement. And websites such as 123refills offer refills at discount prices.

Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life (AARP Books/Sterling).