Get ready to buy more ink and buy more ink

I have a Brother 1840C fax machine. I didn't need the color capability when I bought it, never used it and I still don't. But every day the machine "cleans" itself, using a little of the color inks. And when any cartridge is empty, the entire machine stops working. You have to buy new color cartidges even if you never use them, because the machine makes sure they're used up over a few months. I bought this machine because I thought the consumables would be appropriate. Now I'm off to the supply store to buy Cyan and Magenta just so I can print out a black and white fax. Grr!!!!