Picture this: you’ve got hefty bills—rent, a car payment, gas, insurance, home phone, cell phone, and computer plus a video game fixation that just won’t go away. You’ve done away with luxuries like food but your budget is still bursting at the seams. Now you’re faced with the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make: One of your precious tech devices and/or services has got to go and come hell or high water, it’s not going to be the video game console. What do you do?

Here’s a suggestion:

1. If you still have a traditional landline phone service at home, consider switching to Internet phone service or most commonly known as VoIP.
2. Boot your computer and search for VoIP service providers, learn about the service if you are not already familiar with it.
3. Sign up and switch!

Why VoIP? Because it is less expensive and offers all the latest features such as:

• Caller ID
• Conference calling
• Voice mail
• Call waiting and much more

The service gives you the choice of any area code and allows you to make phone calls using either a regular phone (so hang on to your equipment!) or a computer headset with microphone.

I know what you’re thinking: Switching to Internet phone service definitely sounds like a great idea. But how about Skype?!

Here are some things you should know about Skype…

• Many of the Skype services are offered a-la-carte. Voicemail, call forwarding, incoming calls, outgoing calls, text messaging—you’ll have to purchase each of those service capabilities separately.
• You can’t call for emergency services with Skype.
• You will need a Skype capable computer so that means your computer will either need to have built-in speakers or you’ll have to purchase speakers; you’ll also need a microphone so that others can hear you. In some cases, a headphone / microphone combo may also work.

Bottom line: If you’ve got a bit more room in your budget, then you might want to choose Internet phone service over Skype. VoIP won’t be as inexpensive but they’ll still allow you to pocket more savings than the folks who are still using landline phone services. VoIP does get the job done and provides great features for one low price.

For more information on Internet phone services, visit www.bridgevine.com. Get Internet phone service through Bridgevine’s trusted partners such as Vonage or Packet8.

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