As text message prices continue to increase, we want to remind you that there are many ways to send free text messages online, even from your phone. Wikihow has a great roundup of methods, including using AIM or Gchat, texting as email, or using free text sites.

We’ll add a tip we use: because you can send SMS messages as email to most phones (5555555555@vtext.com for a Verizon customer, for example), people with phones with mobile email can essentially text for free (assuming you have unlimited email) by adding contacts’ phone numbers as email addresses on their contact info. You’ll need to find out your friends’ carriers, but if there are a handful of people whom you frequently text, this can be a great way to save some money.

(Photo: Time Winder)

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