http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-fut...-3-easy-steps/
Cannot say how many "cell phone stores" there may in your area, but in San Antonio I know of at least half a dozen, just by driving around town.
Plus, many unlocked and simple to complex phones can be bought off e-bay, other sites; just Google "used cell phones for sale" in your area.
Not to be obtuse, but I have purchased several used phones (sim card technology) over the years as "back-up" phones in case either of my primary (personal or hobby) phones breaks.
sim cards have the capability to interchange with another sim card enabled phone, so you continue to use the original phone's cell number; most sims can also hold up to 250 contact phone numbers so you don't lose use of those when swapping phones. Greater capacity sim cards are out there, but I haven't heard of any sims capable of hold info beyond that associated with contacts. Such as photos, texts, etc.