I use Boost Mobile and have not had any issues at all. Unlimted texting and calling for $50 per month.

Bought a NET10 phone at target with cash.
Can buy cards at 7/11's or target or a million other places with cash.

.10c min calls/.05 texts

cost 30 bucks for 300 minutes and the phone for 60 days.

Works fine.

Tracfone is the one I use for hobby. I have two, one for business, one for hobbying. You can turn off your hobby phone and turn it on only when you want to. One downside with my trac hobby phone, I have to charge it if I do not use it for a while. I can make calls from anywhere to any place. I don't have texting, but the option is available. You can buy the phone and refills at most big drug chains and some department stores. Pay cash and register the phone at startup online.

Straighttalk is a phone you can get a wal-mart or http://www.straighttalk.com/... You can pay in cash and make up a name to put the phone in, such as Leah Apple... But don't use my name, lol.... It is 45 a month for unlimited talk, text and web and you can get a sweet lil phone with them for cheap... Or you can pay 540 for the entire year... Or 30 a month if you don't need unlimited... It works everywhere which is great if you travel...