I think it is all every well looking for other options on photo sharing /storage sites that "currently" allow free or low cost 3rd party hosting.
But there is no guarantee that down the track in the near future these other sites won't go the same way as Photobucket.
Then you will be in the same boat all over again.
The best option is to give Russell and his team, time to finish the promised photo storage option on AFF, then we will be protected from this issue ever happening again.
Patience is a virtue