Google Voice

I have signed onto Google Voice.  Why?  First, I am hoping that it is one more way to reduce SMS traffic since I am too cheap to pay for more messages.  What else can I do with it?  Its not like I have a lot of phones to centralize.  I use only one phone, iPhone.  Voice mail?  Why is it better- transcription may be a winner.  And super cheap international calling- that would be good.  We shall see.