My wife, also, only wanted a phone for those times of emergencies. We were using a minimum plan, from Verizon, for a couple years. It included 20 minutes a month for 20 dollars. Plus, because of our employment we got $10 of that. So, the end result was 20 minutes a month for $10.
However, she typically was only using the phone for one or two minutes a month, and if you consider that, it was costing us about $10 a minute. Also consider that there was NO roaming, at all. So if she used that phone almost anywhere, not home, there was that roaming fee. Also there were no "free" nights or weekends. Can get pretty expensive.
I recently looked at the prepaid plans, but I didn't like that either. The minutes, you buy there, expire in 60 or 90 days. I think there are extended life (a year) minutes (I know you can get that on OnStar - that I have in my car) but still, after that period, those minutes expire. I think by adding new minutes it can extend the life of those old minutes.
What I finally decided to do was for the two of us to get on a "family plan" and I added her (new) phone to my account for just $10. that way I don't have to worry if, for some odd reason, she decides to talk to whoever, for whatever length (up to my total minutes), wherever.
That seems, to me, the better way to go. It works out much cheaper than those prepaid plans, when you are not using the phone that much anyway. And if your usage habits change you aren't ding with some additional fees you weren't expecting.
Just something for you to consider.
Just wanting to get suggestions as we are coming up on the end of our contract with Verizon. We do not want to switch from Verizon because of their excellent service however we are in a family plan and my wife carries the phone for emergencies only so does not need many minutes. Prepaid seems the way to go for her. Is anybody familiar wtih Verizon prepaid and are they pleased with it? Also, any suggestions on the best way to using this service is helpful. Thanks!!!

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