So Frustrated

I recetly bought a new Canon Pixma 9000 MkII. THEN I downloaded trial versions of PSE and Aperture. CANNOT for the life of me get a decent print out of anything. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm sure it had something to do with the color management area. Using MAC OS X, trial versions of Aperture and PSE and the Canon Printer. I've spent about 8 hours and probably over $100 in ink and paper. This is getting pretty expensive. Tried the tutorials, but just get bogged down in them!!! Help Please!! Jimmy