Comments on: Guest Post: Using Skype to Save the Family Money http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 25 May 2012 07:14:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lucy http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198843 Lucy Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:08:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198843 I received a Catalina at our Bi-Lo store in SC today with the details of this Kraft cheese promotion. I received a Catalina at our Bi-Lo store in SC today with the details of this Kraft cheese promotion.

]]> By: Naomi Marks http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198842 Naomi Marks Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:14:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198842 If anyone is interested in another option, we are now using Magic Jack (www.magicjack.com), which plugs into the USB port on the computer. It only costs $20 per year (+ a $20 initial fee for the jack), but you can try it free for 30 days. We plugged a 2-handset cordless phone into it and it works just like a regular phone line - caller id (on the computer screen), memory buttons, voicemail, etc. If anyone is interested in another option, we are now using Magic Jack (www.magicjack.com), which plugs into the USB port on the computer. It only costs $20 per year (+ a $20 initial fee for the jack), but you can try it free for 30 days. We plugged a 2-handset cordless phone into it and it works just like a regular phone line – caller id (on the computer screen), memory buttons, voicemail, etc.

]]> By: Erika http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198841 Erika Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:08:48 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198841 Unfortunately, Skype sounds great, but up here where I am (Anchorage doesn't have this problem by the way) we have limits on downloads with DSL through my local phone companies (out in the Valley anyway), so we are set on a 10 gig transfer limit a month or it has horrible overage fees. We, just through my husband's normal downloading of You Tube and books and so forth are usually pretty darn close to 10 gigs, so I just can't afford to put anything else as a strain on that limit a month. So, for us for now, Skype is out for me where I live in Alaska. Hopefully Matanuska Telephone will get off it's collective butt at some point and allow us unlimited transfers one of these years, but until then we're stuck. I'd love to get Skype too, to talk to my family in PA and ME and let them actually SEE the kids, but it's just not going to happen anytime soon. Unfortunately, Skype sounds great, but up here where I am (Anchorage doesn’t have this problem by the way) we have limits on downloads with DSL through my local phone companies (out in the Valley anyway), so we are set on a 10 gig transfer limit a month or it has horrible overage fees. We, just through my husband’s normal downloading of You Tube and books and so forth are usually pretty darn close to 10 gigs, so I just can’t afford to put anything else as a strain on that limit a month.

So, for us for now, Skype is out for me where I live in Alaska. Hopefully Matanuska Telephone will get off it’s collective butt at some point and allow us unlimited transfers one of these years, but until then we’re stuck. I’d love to get Skype too, to talk to my family in PA and ME and let them actually SEE the kids, but it’s just not going to happen anytime soon.

]]> By: Shanna http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198840 Shanna Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:38:34 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198840 We used Skype for video chatting when our son was in Germany during his summer breaks from college - it was wonderful to be able to talk to AND see him while he was overseas - at no extra cost other than our regular Internet service. Now my husband's new computer is set up for iChat (he has an Apple), which is terrific for video chatting - for free! - with our daughter & son-in-love who live out of state. Our son & his wife will be moving out of state next year, and iChat will provide a way for all of us to conference call and visit at the same time, using our already-paid-for Internet service. We used Skype for video chatting when our son was in Germany during his summer breaks from college – it was wonderful to be able to talk to AND see him while he was overseas – at no extra cost other than our regular Internet service. Now my husband’s new computer is set up for iChat (he has an Apple), which is terrific for video chatting – for free! – with our daughter & son-in-love who live out of state. Our son & his wife will be moving out of state next year, and iChat will provide a way for all of us to conference call and visit at the same time, using our already-paid-for Internet service.

]]> By: tevilqueen http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198839 tevilqueen Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:31:55 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198839 We found and amazing program called Oozoo. It is free and we are able to chat online with video with both the parents and another party at the same time. It is free with banners and also available(for a fee) without. It is by far the best we have found! We found and amazing program called Oozoo. It is free and we are able to chat online with video with both the parents and another party at the same time. It is free with banners and also available(for a fee) without. It is by far the best we have found!

]]> By: tammy http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198838 tammy Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:12:31 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198838 I used to use Skype as our full time phone, but buyers beware, over time we encountered more and more quality issues and eventually, when we hadn't had a decent call in months, we cancelled. The caller would always here echoing, with or without the expensive $70 headset that Skype assured us would help solve the problems and calls were often dropped. I used to use Skype as our full time phone, but buyers beware, over time we encountered more and more quality issues and eventually, when we hadn’t had a decent call in months, we cancelled. The caller would always here echoing, with or without the expensive $70 headset that Skype assured us would help solve the problems and calls were often dropped.

]]> By: beulah http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198837 beulah Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:44:02 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198837 I just wanted to say that you CAN use a land line phone even if don't have phone service to call 911. Same thing applies to cell phones. Just thought everyone would like to know! I just wanted to say that you CAN use a land line phone even if don’t have phone service to call 911. Same thing applies to cell phones. Just thought everyone would like to know!

]]> By: Cheralee http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198836 Cheralee Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:08:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198836 We just got Skype and don't pay for it at all even for Skype-to-phone or phone-to-Skype (we do have a phone # for it). We are looking to get a Skype phone, but have to order one online since we have a mac (be aware if you have a mac that the phone must be mac compatible). The phone that we have picked out that has the best reviews is $150, but considering we pay NOTHING for the service and it has allowed us to keep the lowest plan on our cell phone and save money that way I think it is worth it! We just got Skype and don’t pay for it at all even for Skype-to-phone or phone-to-Skype (we do have a phone # for it). We are looking to get a Skype phone, but have to order one online since we have a mac (be aware if you have a mac that the phone must be mac compatible). The phone that we have picked out that has the best reviews is $150, but considering we pay NOTHING for the service and it has allowed us to keep the lowest plan on our cell phone and save money that way I think it is worth it!

]]> By: Rachael Garcia http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198835 Rachael Garcia Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:32:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198835 I have been using Skype for the last 8 months to talk with my husband; he is currently deployed to Iraq and it is so, so wonderful to be able to not only hear his voice, but see his face at the same time! I haven't used any of their other services (besides the computer-to-conmputer function) but I had a co-worker who used the computer-to-phone funtion and she highly recommended it, based on price and how easy it is to use! I have been using Skype for the last 8 months to talk with my husband; he is currently deployed to Iraq and it is so, so wonderful to be able to not only hear his voice, but see his face at the same time! I haven’t used any of their other services (besides the computer-to-conmputer function) but I had a co-worker who used the computer-to-phone funtion and she highly recommended it, based on price and how easy it is to use!

]]> By: sherri johnson http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198834 sherri johnson Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:17:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198834 We use and love skype for a couple of different reasons. Number one, my parents live out of state. My 2 year old knows them very well even tho they have only been in the same roof a few times. My parent will read her bed time stories, they will buy 2 copies of a book and keep one and send the other to her, then read together. They will even play games with her! Best of all... now when they do get to come to visit, she knows exactly who they are! The other reason I love it is because my brother is a Marine stationed in Iraq. Thanks to Skype we get to see him about once everyother week! Skype is GREAT! We use and love skype for a couple of different reasons. Number one, my parents live out of state. My 2 year old knows them very well even tho they have only been in the same roof a few times. My parent will read her bed time stories, they will buy 2 copies of a book and keep one and send the other to her, then read together. They will even play games with her! Best of all… now when they do get to come to visit, she knows exactly who they are! The other reason I love it is because my brother is a Marine stationed in Iraq. Thanks to Skype we get to see him about once everyother week! Skype is GREAT!

]]> By: Jenn http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198833 Jenn Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:10:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198833 I've always wondered what the big "to-do" is about Skype. The video messenging isn't anything new...MSN Messenger (and Yahoo) has had that for years and it's a free service. You just have to have an email address (and it doesn't have to be hotmail, msn, or yahoo...my husband could even use his work email one time). Being able to use it as an actual phone service is new, though! We're getting ready to drop our landline and just go to my cell phone. If that doesn't work, I'll have to look into using Skype as a phone. Thanks for the post! I’ve always wondered what the big “to-do” is about Skype. The video messenging isn’t anything new…MSN Messenger (and Yahoo) has had that for years and it’s a free service. You just have to have an email address (and it doesn’t have to be hotmail, msn, or yahoo…my husband could even use his work email one time). Being able to use it as an actual phone service is new, though! We’re getting ready to drop our landline and just go to my cell phone. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to look into using Skype as a phone. Thanks for the post!

]]> By: Alicia http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198832 Alicia Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:34:39 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198832 we don't use this instead of our regular phones but we do use it to keep in touch with Grandparents in another state. The kids love getting to see them more regularly as do the grandparents. A web cam isn't a huge cost either. Try it out!! : ) we don’t use this instead of our regular phones but we do use it to keep in touch with Grandparents in another state. The kids love getting to see them more regularly as do the grandparents. A web cam isn’t a huge cost either. Try it out!! : )

]]> By: irene kegel http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198831 irene kegel Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:53:00 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198831 we tried skype.. it was good until we tried magic jack...wow what a great little unit..works great and used very little space..love it and dirt cheap we tried skype.. it was good until we tried magic jack…wow what a great little unit..works great and used very little space..love it and dirt cheap

]]> By: Kelli http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198830 Kelli Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:43:35 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198830 My husband travels constantly (sometimes out of the country) and he calls me daily. Right now, he's in Sweden, and we've saved a LOT of money by using Skype for his daily call home! My husband travels constantly (sometimes out of the country) and he calls me daily. Right now, he’s in Sweden, and we’ve saved a LOT of money by using Skype for his daily call home!

]]> By: Corissa http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198829 Corissa Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:40:00 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198829 We also have Skype as a replacement for a landline and love how cheap it is and how well it works. The biggest complaint/concern I have about it is that we have gotten LOTS of "chat requests" that are REALLY inappropriate. Even when I have set Skype up to block chat requests, we still get "requests to share our details" from users with names that I certainly don't want my children reading. In order for Skype to work well as a phone replacement, it has to be running on your computer anytime you want to be able to receive phone calls. I haven't found any way to keep these "requests to share our details" from popping up unless I completely shut down Skype, which means I don't get phone calls. Has anyone else found a way to solve this problem? We also have Skype as a replacement for a landline and love how cheap it is and how well it works. The biggest complaint/concern I have about it is that we have gotten LOTS of “chat requests” that are REALLY inappropriate. Even when I have set Skype up to block chat requests, we still get “requests to share our details” from users with names that I certainly don’t want my children reading. In order for Skype to work well as a phone replacement, it has to be running on your computer anytime you want to be able to receive phone calls. I haven’t found any way to keep these “requests to share our details” from popping up unless I completely shut down Skype, which means I don’t get phone calls.

Has anyone else found a way to solve this problem?

]]> By: Jessica http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198828 Jessica Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:19:09 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198828 The dollar amounts are cut off:( The dollar amounts are cut off:(

]]> By: Gina http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198827 Gina Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:49:32 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198827 My husband can get skype on his IPOD touch, and if you get the in the ear head phones with the microphone, then it works as well as the IPHONE...For much less, and not the crazy IPHONE monthly service fee....don't think apple thought about that when designing the IPod.... My husband can get skype on his IPOD touch, and if you get the in the ear head phones with the microphone, then it works as well as the IPHONE…For much less, and not the crazy IPHONE monthly service fee….don’t think apple thought about that when designing the IPod….

]]> By: nicole http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-198826 nicole Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:43:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/06/guest-post-using-skype-to-save-the-family-money.html#comment-198826 Skype is great! I use it to chat with relatives who I don't get to see very much. The best part about it is if you only use the video chat part its free! Skype is great! I use it to chat with relatives who I don’t get to see very much. The best part about it is if you only use the video chat part its free!

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