I have the cheapest possible paid AOL account. I maintain it because I like having a backup method (dial-up) for reaching the Internet. I also used to work for AOL and I know what I'm getting.<p>I signed up for my account right after I left AOL, and back then, tethering to a cell phone was still gaining acceptance with the cell carriers, and WiFi was much less common at motels.<p>I chose a level of AOL account at which, if I did have to use it, I'd be likely to end up paying for extra hours, because it's a good old fashioned metered hourly account.<p>Technically I am old enough to be a senior citizen, but I do read my statements and notice that I'm still paying AOL.<p>I'd love to see war stories here by people who have had to resort to unlikely means to get access to the Internet due to unexpected events.