Haven't heard of Google Voice? Well, it is out of it's Beta stage and making life a little easier for those signed up to use it. So far it is free to use. Here's what I use it for:
I have a GV number that is based in South Dakota (it's a Sioux Falls mobile number). I give it out to people that I don't exactly want to know my real phone number. It links to any phone I own and calls them or just one and allows me to choose to listen to the message, defer to voice mail, answer immediately, block, etc. My current Verizon plan does not do this.
Another efficient use can save you big bucks for long distance calls. First, if you have one of those cell plans that allows you to pick 10 numbers that are out of your plan or a landline you can make your GV number on of them. Once you make it one of your group call numbers you can call it and press #2 and call out from GV and talk for an unlimited time.
One of the things I use GV for is sending SMS (text messages) from my laptop/desktop/any computer for free. The return text messages will be sent back in a threaded fashion of the GV webpage and also to your mobile phone.
Read more about Google Voice and sign up for an account here: http://voice.google.com
