Save paper - print to PDF

scrunge

I bank with Smile and used to print out my bank statements. Then I came across a free utility that lets me save the statements on my PC in pdf format - you can download it from here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

Your PC treats PDFCreator as a printer so when you 'print' your bank statements (or anything else), you can select the PDFCreator "printer" and it turns whatever you're printing into a PDF document. You can then open the document with Adobe's free reader which you can download from http://www.adobe.com
PDFCreator also lets you encrypt the PDF documents for extra security.

I suggested to smile that they provide the facility to download the statements in PDF format directly from their website but they weren't interested

jo_b_2

You can also save ink by printing in 'draft' format - although only really suitable for items that don't need to be of a high printed quality.

I also print on the reverse of used paper where possible.

Savvy_Sue

'Printing' to PDF doesn't give you a hard copy though, does it? So if your computer 'dies' and you haven't done a recent backup, you're a bit stuffed ... (she says from bitter experience!)

I copy my statements into an Excel spreadsheet: select the bit I want, then copy it and paste as text. They take up a lot less paper that way than the way Smile prepares them for printing (there is that option, isn't there?) because I can adjust the text size, margins etc. But I don't know if they would be accepted as 'true' copies if ever you needed printed statements for benefits or tax credits purposes.

geordie_joe

My bank has the option to download statements in either excel or plain text versions.

shitefourbrains

Savvy_Sue wrote:

'Printing' to PDF doesn't give you a hard copy though, does it? So if your computer 'dies' and you haven't done a recent backup, you're a bit stuffed ... (she says from bitter experience!)
QUOTE]

This PDF idea is great. If you want to back up the file just burn it to CD. Any important documents and sentimental photos etc should be backed up always.

ReWritable CDs and now DVDs are great little paper savers.

hardpressed

jo_b wrote:

You can also save ink by printing in 'draft' format - although only really suitable for items that don't need to be of a high printed quality.

I also print on the reverse of used paper where possible.

Only just found out how to print on draft, with my printer I find it's acceptable for all printing and it's a lot quicker too.

roswell

PDF is only usefull if you have adobe reader installed, a better option is print to file and print as a text file.