As much as you use a phone Aunt Bea, I would just stick with the Tracphone.
I'm trying to pry my rather large butt outta this chair and get away from the computer so I can go run some errands and enjoy the sunshine!
Fret not, Auntie -- a body needs ballast on a windy Spring day.
If you should choose to give up your land line, just make sure you can reach 911. The 911 call shouldn't take more than 10 seconds for them to answer and collect your name and address, plus which service you need. Fire, police, EMS. And make sure you don't use up all your minutes a month. Keep some free for "just in case."
I was told that a cell phone can dial 911 even if it is old and you are no longer with that company. It's built in.
I'm researching VPNs. I will probably go with https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/.
This is true. However, with a cell phone, you are not guaranteed which 911 you will reach. If you live in town A but you're close to a cell tower in town B, you could end up getting town B's police department.