If you have a high speed internet connection the "poor mans" VOIP is the "MagicJack" which is touted on TV late at night. It's sold at Wally World, Target, etc.
The problems are: 1) you have to have your computer ON to take or make telephone calls. (It provides an "answering machine" function that sends messages to a mail account.); 2) it tends to "hog" computer resources. Many folks unplug the MagicJack when they are doing a lot of surfing.; 3) you may not be able to get a "local" phone number -- this means that it might be a toll call for your next store neighbor to call you.
When you "set up" the Magic Jack you can provide 911 information. ALL domestic calls and FREE! The purchase price $40 includes free telephone service for a year.
If you take a trip out of the US, you can take along your Magic Jack and make calls to the US (but not anywhere else.)
$40 isn't much is you make a fair number of LD calls.
The federal government has gotten quite gready at the expense of folks with land line telephone service.
If you don't take/make many calls, you may find it cheaper to dump your land line service and get a "throwaway" cell phone. Basic service can be less that $10/month plus the call charge. Your phone would always be with you.