Hey, can you hook me up with a registrar that's got affordable domain names in the  .info namespace, but also throws in a free forwarding service as part of the deal? I'm looking for a sweet spot where I can register my domain without breaking the bank, and still get some basic DNS management tools without having to pay extra for it.

Here are four potential registrar options that offer affordable.info domain names and a free forwarding service:

Namecheap - As a reputable registrar, Namecheap offers.info domains at a competitive price of $8.88/year, and their Free DNS Management tool allows for easy domain setup and management. Their Free Forwarding service enables you to redirect your domain to any URL.
GoDaddy - Although GoDaddy is often criticized for their high prices, their.info domains start at a relatively affordable $14.99/year. Their Domain Forwarding tool allows for easy redirection to any URL, and their DNS management tools are included in the domain registration.
Google Domains - Google Domains is a relatively new registrar that offers.info domains at a competitive price of $12/year. Their DNS management tools are included, and their Domain Forwarding feature enables easy redirection to any URL. However, their customer support is limited compared to other registrars.
eNom - eNom is a reseller-friendly registrar that offers.info domains at a discounted price of $7.99/year. Their DNS management tools are included, and their Domain Forwarding feature allows for easy redirection to any URL. However, their interface can be cluttered and overwhelming for beginners.

I was digging through the trenches of the domain registry, I stumbled upon some affordable options for info domains. 123-reg.co.uk is a viable choice, with prices starting at a mere two pounds. Meanwhile, 1and1.co.uk is offering a steal at just one pound, with no apparent cap on the quantity.

I've been keeping a close eye on the NamePros thread about dot-info, and the consensus is that this TLD has a bright future ahead, especially with the introduction of new zones. The logic is sound, and I'm starting to see the value in info. After all, you never know when a domain will become a hot commodity. In the world of domaining, it's all about staying ahead of the curve and being prepared for the unexpected.

I've encountered some issues with 1and1's international branches, specifically when trying to register domains. It seems that their system has a 'geo-fencing' mechanism in place, which requires you to provide a valid 'geo-tag' (in this case, a UK or Polish postcode and phone number) to authenticate your registration.
This can be a major 'peed bump' for non-EU residents, who may not have the necessary 'locational data' to complete the registration process. In my experience, only 1and1's.com branch has been 'domain-agnostic', allowing international registrations without the need for additional verification.