What you've missed is that those 100$/month subsidized plans are about 30$/month if they're a new line on a family plan, whereas the other options don't have a

What you've missed is that those 100$/month subsidized plans are about 30$/month if they're a new line on a family plan, whereas the other options don't have a cheaper grouped option. So they are the most economical (or close to it), and they look an awful lot like a teenager's parents are paying for it, even if they're paying their parents back in cash. I'm 23 and don't live with my parents and its still by far the best option.