Friday Free Stuff: Free Long Distance And International Calls

If you're like me have have friends any family across America or around the world, you will want to keep in touch with them during your unemployment. They will want to know how your job search is going and some of them may even be able to recommend you to potential employers. Concerned that you can't afford to make long distance calls, let alone international ones?  Don't be. There's a way to use your computer to make video and voice calls over the internet for free!  And you don't even need a phone!  

I've been using Skype for over a year now to make free video and voice calls across the US and to countries as far away as New Zealand.  You can use Skype with your broadband internet connection to call anyone who also has Skype.  Now most of my friends and family are using Skype, so I no longer have to pay to talk to them.  It really is a fantastic service.  You can also use it to call landlines or cellphones, though Skype does charge for this (the rates are very low).

Here's what you'll need to use Skype:

1. Computer connected to the internet

You'll need either a PC or Mac to run the software on, plus a broadband internet connection.

2. Microphone and speakers

So you can communicate with your friends and family.  Some computers have a built-in microphone and speakers.  If you don't already have a microphone and speakers, you'll need to buy them.

3. Webcam
So your friends and family can see you!  Again, your computer may already have a webcam built-in, otherwise you can buy a decent one for less than $100.

4. Skype software

The software to run Skype can be downloaded free of charge from their website, by clicking below: