I laughed at the display of your investigative reporting skills, S.Mirk - "How did YOU know I use three balloons?" Always there with the tough facts! :)
Sarah, you can check your text usage anytime for free by dialing #DATA on your phone. Then you receive a free text message w/the # of texts you've sent, received etc.
Sarah, don't worry--319 texts in a month doesn't sound hugely excessive. Also, while I assume you have an unlimited texting plan, I thought I'd mention how you can find out for free if you can get a better rate with Verizon as there generally is room to lower your costs. I work for the consumer advocacy division of the company Validas, where we electronically audit and subsequently reduce the average cell bill by 22 percent through our website, http://www.fixmycellbill.com. Validas is the wireless bodyguard protecting against frivolous charges that over-inflate 8 out of 10 cell bills. You can find out for free if fixmycellbill.com can modify your wireless plan to better suit your usage by going to the website.
For more info, check out Validas in the national news media, most recently on Fox News at http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/… .
Good luck on cutting your wireless expenses, especially in light of this tough economy.
Dylan
Consumer Advocacy, FixMyCellBill.com