Americans spend nearly $24 billion calling abroad

Just a few decades ago, calling abroad was an expensive endeavor and not undertaken lightly. Now, about 25% of Americans -- or 58.8 million -- make international calls regularly and shell out $23.8 billion annually to do so, according to a survey released by research firm Harris Interactive. The survey reported that of those who dial abroad, 51% use a landline and 44% connect via cellphone. About a quarter of Americans who call internationally have used Skype or some other computer-based calling service. About 36% of Latinos and 26% of black people surveyed make international calls.