News:

One can easily assume that the mark-up on a text message is several thousands times what it actually costs carriers to transmit this little bit of data, considering that mobile operators are only charging $30 to $40 a month extra for mobile data plans that offer 5MB worth of data per month.

Do you mean 5GB worth of data? You would have to be crazy to pay $30 or $40 for only 5MB.

Considering the miniscule amount of data that is transmitted for a txt message, $20 for unlimited is highway robbery, let alone 20 cents per message.

Tell me about it; I made the mistake of cancelling my text message plan one month, I still got texts from everyone under the sun, and got banged for like almost 20 dollars for it, even though I didn't send any. Needless to say I reinstated my text plan the next month. My brother's psycho ex-girlfreind texted him not stop for a month, and he didn't have a data plan, it cost hom $120. Unbelievable!

Savage Animal:

My brother's psycho ex-girlfreind texted him not stop for a month, and he didn't have a data plan, it cost him $120. Unbelievable!

Somehow the ladies ALWAYS find a way to be expensive.

 This always drove me crazy, people would text me and expect me to text them back instead of calling.  I eventually got verizon's 250 texts per month for $5.  It is cheap enough for me to not have to worry about people running up my cellphone bill without me being able to stop them.

I had a pay per KB plan with my smartphone, and I had it completely disabled because if I want the internet on my phone I will just use the WiFi rather than paying out the ass for a connection slower than dial up.

I enjoyed reading your amusing article. I never thought of it that way. Ink costs $8000 a gallon—more expensive than some of the finer perfumes! Well, gasoline has finally got some alternatives, so will ink one day!

Ted Monit:

Well, gasoline has finally got some alternatives, so will ink one day!

Two words:  Laser printer.

Cell phone companys are crazy. I can buy a song online for $0.99 or I can get a low bit-rate 20 sec. clip for $2.00 just so I can use the song as a ringtone. My phone has been on vibrate since the day I got it.

 
Talking of ink and saving money, has anyone used generic ink cartridges?

Yes and it sucked like spam sucks

Printerink:

 
Talking of ink and saving money, has anyone used generic ink cartridges?

 I read an article in Consumer Reports Magazine a while back that had an awesome comparo between OEM and generic cartridges. Unfortunately the generics paled in comparison to the outrageously-priced OEM. There is also a the probability that using a generic cartridge will void your printer's warranty! Probably it is best to just bite the bullet and shell out the big buck$. 

generics are known to dry out in a printer if they are not used much.

I found a site called www.printerink.com and on it there is a list of top quality generic ink cartridges—names like 4inkjets (highest review), Inkgrabber, 123inkjets, Inksmile, Carrot ink, 00inkjets. It seems like a good site, lots of helpful information, Biz Rate certified.  They’re offering 10% discount on all purchases and some brands have free shipping.  I’m thinking of going for it. Has anyone used any of the brands?

Yes we can email for free and i think people should save and get an iphone or blackberry or the g1 coming out so they can email rather then text since it's free you can even email peoples phone number / email so they get a text free for you they pay though but they get the message just as fast as a text. But with printer ink the problem is there isn't any alternative that i know of which is free or cheaper. Unless someone comes out with a very easy to use and reliable refill system were we can buy ink by the gallon i don't see it getting cheaper anytime soon.

I buy the cheap $20 HP printer at walmart every time I need more ink. I give the old ones to family. I only print stuff one in a blue moon so they last me a while. The ink for them is like $35 why not just get a new one.