Earlier I wrote about three phone alternatives to a landline that can save you money and reader Lore suggested Gmail Voice. I am a Google fan and can’t believe I didn’t mention the company’s phone feature, which you can access through Gmail and Google Talk.
Google Talk is a free Windows and web-based application for instant messaging that also allows you to make calls to others with Google Talk only. Google Voice is a free Google Internet service that uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to enable users to make and receive calls for free. You don’t have to be at your computer and can call any number. In this post we’ll explore how using Google Voice can cut down your phone bill.
Google Voice is similar to Skype in that it enables you to make a call and video chat. To make calls you will need a Gmail or Talk account (signing up is free). To video chat, you will need to download Google’s video plug-in, have a working microphone and speakers.
To start, open Gmail or Talk and look in your chat list for “call phone.” When you click the button, a number pad pops up. Dial a number or enter the name of someone in your contact list to call them.
Google Voice lets you make calls to landlines and mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada for free. International calls start at $.02 per minute.
You will be able to receive calls if you have a Google Voice account. The account is free and all you have to do is pick out a phone number. The number will be display in others’ caller IDs when you make a call. You can set up the account to forward calls to another number and also set up a voicemail.
The sound quality for outgoing calls is better than I expected. It actually sounds better than making calls on my cell phone when I have little reception. The only drawbacks that I could find is that Google Voice is not able to place or receive emergency calls and if you didn’t reserve a number in your city when this featured rolled out, then you’re out of luck. I tried making a Google Voice account but there weren’t any Los Angeles phone numbers available. To learn more about the cost of replacing your landline with other VOIP services, check out Bargain Babe’s take on the subject.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
You can actually port your existing wireless number to Google Voice for $20 if there aren’t any numbers available. Then all you need to do is add a second number to your wireless carrier in order to be able to forward your calls for service. Its just a thought if you’re considering it.
I did it when they had free numbers available – its not a number in the city I live in but a close one with the same area code.
The service is great, my only complaint is that sometimes answering machines and the like have a hard time understanding my responses when I place the call through Gchat (esp. UPS!). I’ve found dialing directly through my Google Voice is better.
@Connie I did notice I could get another number, but there where no nearby area codes. I got area codes from other states and that was not worth it for me.
How much money has the service saved you?
Another great thing about Google Voice is that if you live in a security building and don’t have a landline, you can connect your Google Voice number to the security system so guests can call you from it and you can buzz them in. It’s considered a landline. It will ring your cell phone and tell you that you have a call from that number. When you answer it will say that you have a call from your name and ask if you want to accept it. You follow the directions and then speak to whoever is outside your building and then buzz them in just like on a landline.
Google Voice is not a phone service, but it allows you to manage your phone numbers with one number. There are different ways you can utilize it.
Google voice has definitely came in handy as far as forwarding calls for business. I wish I could get more numbers haha -BF
SXSW, just create a new gmail account and you can get a new GV number. The only drawback is that it might not be a local number.
You can port your number to net10 also and pay SO little but actually have a cell phone with you. I use it for business and looked into the google voice too but I wanted to have my business phone with me at all times for customers. Right now I am doing pay as you go but when business picks up (i hope!) I can do an unlimited plan for about $50 a month which I think includes texts and data too. I would check it out as an alternative to contract phone and of course land lines which are really a thing of the past.
@Connie and @James I feel silly asking this, but what does it mean to “port your number” and what is net10?
Sorry I didn’t catch up on this until today!
Porting your number is when you take your existing phone number (say, 555-555-5555) from one company to another.
So your number 555-555-5555 with Sprint can become 555-555-5555 with Google Voice.
@Yazmin, in my mind, its not that it saved me money, but that I’ve had any number of saves because the number forwards to all of my locations.
I’ve cleared up confusion over doctor messages, gotten interviews because I was able to answer the phone quickly, and my family loves having one number to call me anywhere – so they don’t have to keep track of cell phones, workplace numbers (I am a temp and have 2 jobs), and our previous home phone.
Also, the voicemail transcriptions are fantastic. I get an email when people call me, so I have a searchable document when messages are left. This means I can go through my messages a lot faster and find the ones I need easier in my Gmail.
@Connie Thanks for the explainer! I can see Google Voice has a lot of perks for you. I only have two numbers and one I use rarely.
It’s nice to know that we have options.:0)