Brightrev

I buy so many things online that I like having copies of my receipts just to keep track of it all.  I printed paper receipts for a long time, but I eventually found that having an digital copy of a receipt makes a lot more sense than keeping a paper copy.  Saving web receipts to PDF gives you the digital copy and the ability to print a paper copy at any time.  In this article, I'll cover how easy it is to save PDF receipts in Mac OS X and a free add-on that does the same thing in Windows.

There are several reasons I print my receipts to PDF.  First, reducing paper use is a good thing.  I enjoy the outdoors and much prefer trees to stumps, so I try to reduce my paper use wherever I can.  Second, paper creates clutter, and I have quite enough of that around the office right now.  (It doesn't matter when you read this article.  There will be clutter in my office.)  Finally, print-at-home tickets are becoming more and more common.  Murphy 's Law says that the chance of losing printed tickets increases exponentially with the importance of the show and amount of time before it starts.  Don't chance it.  Save everything to PDF.

Mac OS X

Somehow I'm not surprised how incredibly easy it is to save PDF receipts in Mac OS X.  No matter what browser you use on the Mac, save web receipts by clicking File -> Print and then clicking PDF -> Save to Web Receipts Folder.

This is just ridiculously simple.

Windows Vista

Windows needs an extra utility to emulate the Mac's PDF printing functionality.  There are several free PDF printing utilities available, but I like CutePDF.   To get started, download CutePDF from the download link on their site and then run through the installer, choosing the defaults.  When the installer asks if you want to install the PS2PDF converter, click Yes.

After CutePDF is installed, create a Web Receipts folder inside your Documents folder.  Now, when you want to print a receipt, choose the CutePDF Writer printer from the list.

Save the receipt into your Documents\Web Receipts folder and you're done.

Now when you've lost your print at home tickets and you have to leave for the show in five minutes, you've got no problems.  Print your saved PDF and you're on your way.