I use Verizon FreeUp and am pretty happy with it.  I had to pay about $100
for the phone.  I use basically the minimum # of minutes.  I buy a $30 card
every 2 months, and if you don't let it lapse, your unused minutes roll
over.  the rate is something like .30/min days and .10 nights and
weekends.  Roaming goes up to about $1/min, but coverage seems very
good.  I was once travelling with a friend on regular Verizon plan, and he
was in roaming while I was still considered regular.  I usually get some
kind of extra night and weekend minutes when I renew.  I can text message
too, for .05 each, and can txt to and from regular emails.  I use this on
trips to let folks know where I am and that I am still alive <G>.  I can
but the $30 cards on ebay and save about 10-20% off face value, depending
on how the market for them is at the time I need one.

Edward