Hi Pic,
Many fond meories of the SEC stories.
I resisted getting a cell phone for many years, but finally got one after a motorcycle breakdown where things would have been better if I'd had one. I only turn mine on for my convenience; I don't leave it on all the time.
Anyhow, as to what kind of phone, get a "tri-mode". The tri-mode phones are able to get the two standard digital bands, PLUS an analog band, which is all there is in some out of the way places. "All digital" phones do not work AT ALL in those places. They claim that everything everywhere will be all digital in something like 2 years, but when has a massive infrastructure upgrade ever come in on schedule? I'll stick with a tri-mode, thank you very much.
For the carrier, go Verizon. Understand going in that all cell providers suck, much like banks or insurance companies. The only differentiator that is meaningful is coverage. Verizon has more network coverage than anyone else. Period. This means that you are more likely to actually be able to make a call with Verizon than anyone else. That is the single most important thing.
I have a $35.00/month plan. I don't use it that much, but some months I end up needing to make a lot of calls when on the road. I think if you try a pay as you go plan, you may find it worth your while to eventually get a real account, but whatever works...