The question is... can we both get iPhones and keep the MacBook and the iPad connected and stop paying $27 to the phone company for the land line and the internet connection?
You are going to pay for wifi in one way or another.
I have seen you post many, many, many, many times that you are attached to your Trac phone and have no need for anything else. I'm not sure what you would get out of an iPhone, if a Trac phone meets your needs.
If you have changed your mind....that's a different story
Are you looking for internet usage at home or in a mobile device?
If you are looking at home usage....you will need to pay an internet provider to bring it into the home and then a router to make it wireless within your home.
If you are looking for mobile usage, then you will want it attached to your mobile device (not your Trac phone).
If home usage is your goal, you will get a better quality signal and therefore faster internet by paying to have it brought into your home, then you will trying to use the mifi feature on your phone.
The "hot spot" feature via your phone uses cell phone signals and is really designed for use when real wifi isnt available. (Ex....using your laptop out of the house)
If the iPad is 3G....then you should be able to access the internet (again via cell signals) from where ever you are (as long as there is a cell signal).
One way or another...you will pay for internet usuage.