Help me with my first smartphone (Verizon). Questions inside!

[Q]

Though I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on tech, for some reason phones have always confused me.

Situation: I saw that on July 7, Verizon is nixing its $30/month unlimited data plan, but you will be grandfathered in if you buy before that. So, I have been planning on getting a smartphone eventually, so might as well do it now.

Basic 'question' is easy: I want a smartphone + unlimited data plan for cheap as possible. I would like Android. I am on my father's family plan for Verizon, so I assume it's cheapest for me to stay on it. (correct me if I am wrong).

Also, I've looked at 3rd party re-sellers, such as Amazon Wireless, and am a little confused on how those work. I see you can add the plan to an existing family account, and doing so makes a new smartphone pretty cheap. But how exactly do these deals work? (Amazon Wireless, Wirefly, etc).

One option I have is to buy my brother's Droid 2 from him for $75 -- but I've seen on the Amazon Wireless thing mentioned above that I can get a brand new phone for $80.

Summary: what is the cheapest possible way I can get a smart phone + data plan?

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Are you currently eligible for an upgrade?

 

[Q]

Are you currently eligible for an upgrade?

We had one available; my brother used it to get an iPhone.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

If you don't have an upgrade available then you can't get the Amazon/Wirefly prices. You are looking at $400+ for an unsubsidized phone. Your best option is to buy the droid 2 from your brother.

 

[notposting]

Or get a new line of service on your own plan...Amazon has different rates for new lines/single upgrades/family upgrades. Which also means (if you get your own new line somewhere) that you could look into a new carrier as well.

I say get an iphone or windows phone if you can.

Edit: the other sellers add their own ETF to the matter, for example you have to keep the line of service open for 6 months. This is in addition to the carriers ETF.

Double edit: I think about the cheapest you can go on Verizon for a decent setup is 450 minute plan (39.99) + 250 text plan ($5) + data plan ($30) for a total of around $80 after taxes, fees, etc. Minus any special discounts you can get (I get 18% off my line and data on our family plan through work).

Triple edit: their tiers blow hard. I was foolishly hoping they would be reasonable.