Although we have been full-time for a few years, we are finally free of the need to have smart phones on which to get our e-mail and use for data purposes. We have a Verizon Jet Pack Mi-Fi which we have used everywhere we go for Wi-Fi, and therefore e-mail/data use. The Jet Pack has met all of our needs in that regard. We plan to keep the mi-fi. We went into a Verizon company location to see about the 65+ plan for our phones, since we expect all of our data needs to be met by the card, and with the text option, the shared minutes will work for us. We were told we could change our plan and include texting for an extra 10 bucks/line/month, but couldn't use our smartphones, as they require a data plan, which we no longer want. So we were told if we had our old Verizon phones we could switch back to those. We don't have old Verizon phones, so I asked how much new basic (talk & text) would be and was told $250 each, which is full retail, since our contracts aren't up 'till 02/14. At that time we could get new basic phones at a very reduced cost for a new contract The change in plan would save us $100/mo. So the math is clear, but does anyone know if I have to buy new basic phones from Verizon? (I couldn't get a straight answer from them). Years ago, when I lost a cell phone (no insurance) with ATT, a sales person told me "don't pay retail here, go buy a ATT pay as you go phone, and put your SIM card in that). From Target and Wall-Mart, Verizon pay as you go phones, which are text capable are available for a fraction of that $250 the Verizon store wanted. Since my knowledge of all this is very limited I'd like to know if any of you have thoughts or experience. It seems pointless to go buy new phones even if a bargain, if they won't work. Thanks in advance for any input.

Richard