Suggestions on how to set up your hobby phone?

[Lucipurr]

When I moved to Buffalo a number of months ago, I bought an HTC at Walmart. The plan is Verizon and I use refill cards. I noticed Verizon workers are on strike so I feel bad supporting the company. I absolutely hate Cricket so I don't know what other service to use. (Sorry, but I don't want to toggle the data switch just so I can get pic messages.)

Which other phone services are good?
I noticed a few Boost kiosks around here.

I've never used Google talk, but apparently I could have gotten a Google number and linked it to my current number. That way I could advertise the Google number and be able to give my "real" number to my parents, doctors, social service departments such as SNAP and DVR, etc. without feeling weird. If I have advertised with a certain number, I don't want certain people to have it.

I guess that is what I will do whenever I get a new plan/number. Right now the number I use for hobby is my only number. My hobby number and personal number should be separate but I don't want to use multiple phones. That is why I have my hopes up about experimenting with Google talk.

Anyways, any advice in this area is greatly appreciated. Is my plan good? Any phone service providers you would recommend? Anything else I should do or be aware of?

PS: I want the next phone I buy to have a better camera. Any advice on how to pick an actual phone would be awesome.

[1blackman1]

I use an app on my phone called Burner. Has its own number, can text, and when I wanna switch numbers, I just "burn" that one and the app gives me a new one.

[joesmo888]

Originally Posted by 1blackman1

I use an app on my phone called Burner. Has its own number, can text, and when I wanna switch numbers, I just "burn" that one and the app gives me a new one.

this is good advice and would come in handy for many situations where you don't want the person calling you back or texting you