Tutorial: Unlimited texting and minutes for $5.03 a month

This tutorial will show you how to get unlimited SMS texting and calling minutes for $5.03/month, or $60.05/year. Given that most people’s cell phone bills are around $60 a month, this tutorial will help you save an incredible amount of money. This uses Google Voice and Skype.

√ SAVINGS – $654.60 a year (based on a $60/month phone plan).

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  • Google Voice
  • Skype (account and software on computer)
  • Computer with mic and speakers or combination mic/headphones.
  • Internet access

If you want to have unlimited texting and calling on your iPod Touch, read both the Using the iPod Touch as a Phone and Texting on the iPod Touch using Google Voice tutorials after reading this tutorial.

As always, here is the ShortStep for advanced readers. If you don’t feel confident with your ability to download and set programs up, move onto the full tutorial below.

  1. Skype
    1. Download Skype
    2. Sign up for an account online.
    3. Skype.com > Account
    4. Click on “Call Phones” > “Subsciption Settings” and purchase the Unlimited US & Canada subscription for one year.
    5. Click on “Online Number” and purchase a number for one year. The total cost comes out to $60.05
  2. Google Voice
    1. Go to “Settings” > Phones > “Add another number”
    2. Enter your new Skype number.
    3. Uncheck “Receive SMS on this phone”.
    4. Open up Skype on your device.
    5. Click “Save” in Google Voice and follow the rest of the instructions.

You now have unlimited SMS texting and calling minutes! Check out our other Google Voice tutorials to make full use of your new unlimited-ness!

I will refer to your computer or iPod Touch as your device, so no matter which you use it will make sense.

  1. Sign up  for Google Voice. You will probably need to request an invitation, or get a friend to send you an invite.
    1. When you get an invite and sign in for the first time, just follow the onscreen steps to choose your phone number.
  2. Download Skype, and sign up for an account.
  3. Pay for a Skype monthly unlimited plan
    1. On the Skype.com > Account tab, then click on “Call Phones”
    2. Click on “Subscription Settings”.
    3. Click “Sign Up” under the $2.95/month plan for Unlimited US & Canada calling.
    4. Select “Every 12 months – $35.40″. You’ll note that the total comes to $30.05.
    5. Click “Buy Now” and enters your payment details.
  4. Pay for a Skype Online number
    1. On the Skype.com > Account tab, then click on “Online Number”
    2. Click “Set up now”
    3. Select your country, state, and desired area code.
    4. Select your new phone number.
    5. Click “Activate Number”
    6. Pay for the phone number.
  5. Use your Google Voice number as your only number.
    1. Go into your Google Voice account and click “Settings” at the top right of your screen.
    2. You will be on the “Phones” tab already. Click “add another number”.
    3. Enter your Skype Online Number.
    4. Make sure “Receive SMS on this phone” is unchecked.
    5. Before you click “Save”, make sure Skype is open on your device. Once you click “Save” this will show up:
    6. Click “Connect” and when Google calls you on Skype, enter the two-digit number.

Congratulations! You have just set yourself for unlimited texts and minutes! Give people your Google Voice number to call you and text you. Whenever they call you, the call will ring on your device (whether it’s your computer or iPod Touch) if you have Skype open. You must have Skype open on your device in order to call or receive calls. Read our Google Voice Unleashed tutorial to fully understand the power you now hold.

If you want to have unlimited texting and calling on your iPod Touch, read both the Using the iPod Touch as a Phone and Texting on the iPod Touch using Google Voice tutorials after reading this tutorial.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, February 20th, 2010 at 9:15 pmand is filed under Poor Student Solution, Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

20 Responses to “Tutorial: Unlimited texting and minutes for $5.03 a month”

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