Well, were the people that "tore them up" always mentioning the colors being off? Did they look good to you? Did you have any printed by the local drug/super store? Did they kind of sort of match?
Since you don't have much money, and you're just messing around right now for your own enjoyment, my not go a free route and see if your system is way off? That would be my cost conscious first go around. Lots of reading and it might get too technical for ya, but lots of good info on this big ole page, and a free program that might help called Quick Gamma 2...
Monitor calibration and gamma
And you can always ask questions here.............