With travel and emigration becoming increasingly popular for Brits looking to escape the British climate, most of us now know at least one person who lives abroad. But return tickets to Australia don't come cheap, so what are the best and cheapest ways of keeping in touch?
Facebook
The world's most popular online social network,
Facebook has changed the way we keep in touch with friends and family old and new. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, Facebook will bring you and your loved ones together in the same online space. Among its most useful functions are those which allow you to leave notes on your friends' walls, send private messages and share photos and invitations. So you can keep up with what your loved ones have been up to on a daily basis.
Phone deals
But of course, it's always nice to hear a friendly voice and let the conversation flow freely. International phone bills can leave you reeling if you don't do your research and find the best deals for the country you're calling. Many mobile and landline networks now offer monthly bolt-on services which make the cost of calls to specified countries cheaper - perfect if you want to keep in touch with someone who is abroad on a temporary basis. If you need to make regular calls abroad, make sure to choose a contract that includes one of the many international saver tariffs now on the market. But be aware that many of these deals only apply to landline-to-landline calls, and calling mobiles abroad can be very costly not only to you but the person you're phoning.
Skype
Since its launch just over five years ago, free internet phone service
Skype has become one of the cheapest and most popular ways of calling abroad. By downloading the free Skype software, which works with your internet connection, you can make calls to other Skype users through your PC. All you need to fork out for is a headset. If you and the person you're calling have a webcam, you can also turn you call into a face-to-face conversation. And you can make cheap calls to landlines and mobiles on a pay-as-you-go or monthly tariff basis too.
Webcam
There are some times when you just need to see a friendly face, but what do you do if that friendly face is on the other side of the world? Switch on the webcam of course. All you need to have free face-to-face conversations with friends and relatives overseas is an inexpensive webcam and headset, which can be used with all models and makes of PC. Or you could use your webcam with an
instant messaging programme and type your way through the gossip.
But, of course, nothing can beat seeing your loved ones in the flesh. Sainsbury's provides personal loans that could help fund trips abroad for the ultimate catch-up. For more information, and an instant personal loan decision visit
www.sainsburysbank.co.uk.
Sainsbury’s offer a range of financial services including life insurance, savings accounts, dog & cat pet insurance and personal loans. Visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk for quotes and more information.
