Metro PCS, Cricket or Buying minutes?

I am almost 16, and I plan on getting a job as soon as I can. My parents won't let me have a cell phone until I can pay for one myself.

Since I can't sign a contract since I'm not 18, that leaves me with three options.

1) I can purchase a phone and then add minutes through cards (Like Virgin mobile)

2) I can go through Metro PCS

3) I can go through Cricket.

Most of my friends are on their parents' plans.

My mom and Dad use Verizon. But my older sister got them in a bind with their phones. She ran up a bunch of minutes.

All my other friends have cell phones and I feel like a dork not having one, so I'll be getting one as soon as I can.

But which would be the best and cheapest option.

I do what a basic Android. I have heard bad things about Windows phones and I don't want to shell out the bucks for iPhone.

I have a Samsung Tablet (from Barnes and Nobles) so I already have a google account and can text if I'm connected to wifi.

So if anyone has any help for me, I'm all ears:-)

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