Time for another installment of: tools that save you time and money (Click to read the recent installment). Today we are bringing you two computer programs that cut down on paperwork...big time.

One creates near-perfect Adobe PDF files from inside almost any application. The other enables you to link scanned originals directly to accounting entries inside of QuickBooks. The first tool is FREE. The second is incredibly affordable.

We'll start with the pdf tool, because it's so simple to get, install and use.

CutePDF Writer
The name of the program is CutePDF Writer. You can download it from www.cutepdf.com. If you want a little more functionality, buy CutePDF Pro for around $50.  I use the free version. It has worked flawlessly in a couple of programs that Adobe's version (Acrobat Pro for $700) didn't.

Here is how to get the program up and running.

• Go to the CutePDF site.
• Click on the CutePDF Writer "Free Download". Save it to your computer.
• Find the downloaded file and double click on it to install.

How it Works
Open up a document, spreadsheet or any type of document. Choose Print and change your printer to CutePDF Writer. A dialogue box will ask you to name your file and pick a place to save it. Do so and hit Save.