Tracphone, buy it at Wally World with cash and buy additional time the same way.  When authorizing it give fake or no personal information.  Don't call your "burner phone" with any other phone connected to you or any number connected to you with the "burner".

so which ones are good, just for texting and talking, not much else.  can you guys recommend some and where you got them. thanks

I have a good phone...  WM.  It holds a charge very long when shut off in secure storage.  I only use mine for voice.
skb

It is no secret that Google records everything that you discuss on GV.  So there is a con to using it.

On prepaid phones, pretty much any will do well given how infrequently you'll be using your hobby phone.  Tracfone, Virgin, Common Sense and AT&T work fine.  Not sure about Verizon and T-Mobile.  Some are cheaper than others so spend some time checking out the different prepaid rate plans.  You can get phones at any drug store, electronic store, 7-11, Walmart/Target and most grocery stores.  Just make sure to use cash when you buy it.

Drugstores, gas stations, grocery stores, radio shack, target or walmart...
Best (net10 or trac)get the $30 card 300 min for 60 days-works out to $15 month  (use cash to purchase phone & minutes)
You have to activate it online(use hobby email) or you can call (use a pay phone or generic line)

AT&T & Verizon have prepay plans too so if you have an old phone from either company, you can just get a new sim for the prepay...

I think the most important thing to look for is coverage area, if you have spotty coverage in your area, you may go with the verizon prepay...

good luck, there are alot of options

xxx
Jinni

I bought the Virgin Mobile phone for $40 and $10 of airtime.  No personal info was required at any point in the transaction, even to set up the phone.

less than $40 and I use a $20 Top-up card every 3 months or so.  I too only use it for hobby related calls and texts.

Thanks for pointing that out.  I just checked my receipt and the phone did, indeed, cost $19.99.  The entire bill came to just under $40 because I purchased $10 of airtime and a "replacement plan" that I didn't even know I paid for.  So if you buy one from Radio Shack be sure to check that they're not upselling you!  BTW the phone itself has worked fine.  Airtime can be topped up on line.

I think the main reason is in case the provider you've called is busted there's no number traceable to you personally in her phone when LE checks her called numbers.

Hobby phone...  not connected to regular phone.  No tracks for LE, no tracks for SOs.  Even a single guy, maybe meets someone & wants to shut the hobby down...  no tracks.
Separate hobby email with some free service.  
Do not use company computer equipment or wireless for adult sites.  Guys have been fired for this.  
At the very least, use in private brousing & set to delete on shut down.  An overwrite cleaning program is a good investment.  Some use other brousers.  NEVER let another person use your active computer,  Oppps, shut it off!
Do not use your credit card somewhere you're not supposed to be.  Even gas & a snack...  on the wrong location.
Clear the GPS location if you use it.  I actually have saved locations...  of coffee shops I have stopped at.  Just happen to be within site of locations.
Do not use EZ Pass somewhere you should not be.  

When I started, I promised myself I'd not do anything stupid.  It wasn't long before I realized I needed to be more careful.  Better too careful than not enough.
This will do for starters.
skb

use cash for additional gas purchase or tolls if I'm not where I'm supposed to be.  Also, disable any GPS tracking in your regular phone.

Hi:
Verizon offers a nice Samsung flip phone for $19.99. Depending on the best buy that you go to, you can get it for $9.99 (I bought 3 at this price in case I ever need to toss a phone). You can get refill cards for $15, $30 and $50. Pay in cash, and you will be fine. I hope this helps.

Thanks for dropping some knowledge guys.

I've had pretty good luck with Tracfone.  Sometimes you can find a special Tracfone package that offers lifetime double minutes.  I've gotten mine at Wal-Mart.  I paid around $20 for the phone and then another $20 for extra minutes.  Whatever minutes I add to the phone are doubled.  It works out to a cost of $10 a month to keep it active.