I have been an iPhone user for a few years now, and until a couple of months ago I had never sent a text message. I didn't know anyone who used text messaging and I was opposed to being charged per message when I had free e-mail at my disposal via the iPhone.
Then I moved back to Minnesota and started meeting people who used text messaging regularly, so I was dragged unwillingly into the modern age of communication. Unfortunately, I specifically asked not to have a text plan for my iPhone/AT&T account, so I was being charged for every text I sent, so I went looking for a free alternative.
And I found TextNow, a great FREE iPhone app for texting that work just as well as the normal SMS system. TextNow gives you your own number to use and you can customize the app in many ways that you can't with the normal iPhone SMS app.
You can download TextNow from iTunes HERE.
I'll be up front here and tell you that I'm writing this to get 25 free credits with TextNow (which allows you to disapble in-app ads), but as some of you know I'm also a tech junkie, and I genuinely enjoy passing on information about new tech that I find and enjoy.
So if you're looking for a great alternative to paid text messaging, give TextNow a try!
-Otis