Any brands or plans stand out for convenience, cost, etc. ?  I'm thinking about taking the plunge.

Many of their plans offer 3x minutes for life-you just buy a card -good for a year service depending on usage-then buy more as needed-unused time is rollover- I buy a $99 card for the year-buy as you need

I can pay as I go and if I have an off week or if I get too busy my minutes roll over.  spent like 50 bucks on it so far if that.  Rocking like 300 mins that carry over in 90 more days if I dont use them.  Then I pay a bit more to buy air time after 90 days.  Gravy

I have something like 2500 minutes on my tracfone now. I'll never use them. Straight hobby phone.

tracfone.  $19 phone & $20 for 3 months of service so $100 for first year.  Minutes roll over IF you renew before it expires.  I don't bother with the double minutes because I'll never use them up.  If you can afford to play, you can afford the hobby phone.  
Hobby email too