How to create plain text or .txt files on MAC

When you initially open TextEdit your text file will be saved as .rtf (Rich Text Format, which allows colors styling and all that jazz )

If you want just a regular .txt file, Click 'Format' from the menubar, and choose 'Make Plain Text'. Now when you save your text file it will be in plain text .txt format in whatever encoding you choose at the save menu (ie, western, UTF-8 ...etc..)