Skype is a fun, fast and supremely frugal way to save on your long distance phone calls! To get started, all you and your friends/family need is a Skype account (free), the Skype software (free), a microphone and webcam, and ta-dah! You’re in business! 😉
By utilizing Voice Over IP technology (VoIP), Skype allows you to call any other Skype user in the world for free. You can see them and hear them at the same time, which is especially cool for military families, grandparents, college students living abroad (or the next state over) – you name it. {And umm…did I mention it’s FREE?}
Skype also provides both international and local calling plans that are generally much lower than your local phone company offers. However, emergency service is available through Skype, so I wouldn’t advise ditching your home phone service completely. Another option would be to keep your cell service for those “just in case” 911 calls.
I love using Skype to connect with my extended family, business associates, Facebook friends (so much more fun that chat!) – you name it. 🙂
What about you? Do you use Skype?
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Kari says
Hey, I know this is an old post but I wanted to mention that LINE is also a great alternative. I personally HATE Skype and refuse to use it as it is very heavy on PC resources. Skype uses 2-5x more memory in OFFLINE mode (not logged in) than LINE does in ONLINE mode (logged in), often with 2-5 chats opened on top of it.
You need a mobile device to make an account but after that you can get the PC version and link your account to that. You can do phone to phone (app to app), computer to computer or computer to phone calls, all for free. Same with video calls. I’ve used it a lot during the time I was still stuck in Europe waiting for my Visa to finally move to my husband, it was quite useful when I was sitting on the computer late at night and he was on a road trip (calling his phone). You do need wifi for your phone, it does use data on your phone. But yeah, just throwing this out there for people who want a less heavy option (on computer) that’s real flexible.
Also, thanks for everything, I’ve been going through your posts basically all day and night today!
Wendi says
My husband is from Brazil and Skype is how we keep in touch with his family. It’s awesome! When we were newly married (10 years ago), we bought calling cards, but it still got spendy. With Skype, we don’t spend a dime, and it’s been reliable enough to keep us happy!
Hannah says
Skype was our only phone number for a few years (I know, not safe in an emergency). We paid $30 per year to have a Skype-in local phone number for people to call us (from their land line or cell phone), and $30 for unlimited calling out (to land lines or cell phones in the US and Canada). So our “phone bill” for the YEAR was $60.
We keep the Skype program open and it “rings” when someone calls us. If we miss a call, Skype e-mails us (if there is a recorded a message) or we see an alert in the Skype program that lets us see the number that called.
Sometimes our internet was be flaky, breaking up the phone conversation, or go out altogether, meaning our only way of communicating with the world would be to drive a quarter mile to our neighbors.
Now we have Skype for our “home phone” (and more reliable internet, so we don’t have nearly the reception problems), my husband has a work phone, and I have a Tracfone. It is a good setup for us!