Chic, take a ride to the local wally-world. They will have your phone provider and probably give you the best price on a NEW phone and just adjust your plan. You cut off his phone service, and home internet fees, put them towards your smart phone plan.
you can switch the smart phone to free wifi if you are in those ranges too. my phone does this automatically. it is really more simple than you think to set this up on the phone(Amy and I can figure it out)..your phone provider may also have deals on a tablet that works on free wifi too...so you can set yourself in a free spot to have access. most local businesses have it.