Best Ways to Keep in Touch on a Budget - Not Just International Dialing

Whether you're an expat living far away from family and friends like I am, or travel frequently for business or pleasure, you'll know that dialing internationally to connect with people abroad isn't always convenient, and it can be very expensive if you don't plan ahead. Dialing internationally from a mobile phone, especially, can cost a fortune if you're not equipped with an international calling plan or service.

The good news is that technology is so advanced these days that we can keep in touch with people across the world without spending a fortune. It is possible to save money on phone calls, and there are many other methods of connecting with people around the world. While many forms of modern communication don't offer the personal touch of a voice call, new ways of communicating, some which incorporate oral communication, are efficient to keep in touch with loved ones abroad.

How to Keep in Touch on a Budget

Postcards - It costs far less than a dollar or a pound to send a postcard anywhere in the world. If you ask me, postcards are fun and in today's digital age I find that people actually love to receive a card featuring an interesting picture and handwritten note. Postcards also have staying power - people keep them over the years.

Email - Email is obviously one of the most popular methods of staying in touch when you're abroad. Email services are simple, usually free, and easily accessible once you're online. If you're travelling in undeveloped areas, however, you might encounter problems accessing the internet, even if you use a smartphone. Sending an email message also isn't as personal as dialing internationally to talk to family and loved ones.

VoIP Services - VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, generally refers to internet phone services. These services allow the caller to dial directly from his/her PC. Many international dialing services also use VoIP technology to transmit voice calls from the caller's landline or mobile phone. The advantage of VoIP is that calls can be made cheaply. If you're using VoIP from your PC, however, you might not always experience high quality calls, as broadband connections vary. If you're confident that the broadband connection you'll be using for VoIP calls is excellent, then certainly sign up with a low-cost international VoIP service.

Social Networking Sites - Facebook, Twitter, and many other social networking sites are now part of our everyday lives. Whether you like them or loathe them, they're a good facility through which to remain in touch with friends and family abroad, and of course are free to use. You can tell a huge group of people what you've been up to on your travels, with very little effort. The drawback of social networking sites as communication tools is that they're not the most personal of platforms. Posting a couple pictures along with your day's activities will never measure up to having a one-to-one conversation with your mom overseas.

Blog - Regularly updating a blog is comparable to using a social networking site to stay in touch whilst away from home. The difference is that anyone can access said blog. Many blog sites cater to the traveller or expat, however, and are free to use if you have an internet connection.

Online Chatting/Instant Messaging - Instant Messaging via the likes of free services like MSN, Yahoo or Google carries the efficacy of sending email messages but it's quicker and more interactive. Your contact gets to hear what you've been up to if he/she is online at the same time as you and likewise your contact can reply and chat about what's going on on their side of the world. Make sure you have a good broadband connection if you intend to rely on Instant Messaging to keep in touch. And remember, your contact has to be online at the same time as you.

Communicating with friends and family whilst you're abroad can be done easily and affordably, in most cases. The method of communication you choose should be based on your personal habits, accessibility, and budget. Many forms of communication are free, and even dialing internationally to have a one-to-one voice chat with a friend can be affordable. If you choose your method appropriately, a week won't go by where you feel out of touch.

If you're looking to make cheap international calls, you should look for an international call provider that offers cheap local rates. Services like SimpleCall will help you save lots of cash - even if you're roaming!