If you're not indebted to Verizon, check out Sprint's SERO plans here -
http://www.sprint.com/sero
Unbelievable deals - I got SERO 500 for $30/month which includes unlimited text, internet, 500 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 7pm, unlimited sprint2sprint...the only downside is picture mail doesnt work...of which there are 1 billion threads on this forum asking why.
When they ask for a sprint employee's email address, use
tristan.kime@sprint.com (not sure who that is, but ive activated 6 other SERO lines using that referral email for my mother, sister, cousin, and three coworkers)