I need help understanding prepaid phones for Virgin Mobile?

[Green TEA]

I've recently decided to try and get a prepaid phone from Virgin Mobile, a Wild Card to be exact. Can I buy a minutes card in any store? If I get a 30$ minute card and a $10 text card when I get the phone what is the longest time I can go without buying anything? Does picture text count more than word text? When I go on the internet/buy ringtones/buy games/ how much minutes does it deduct? If I do that a lot should I get unlimited text? And if I am 17 and get the money to buy it, will they let me? Or do I have to have my dad with me? (just a small question my dad might try to get me a phone that isn't as nice.) When I go to buy everything forthe first time, am I correct in assuming it'll be around $150 for everything?

thank you!

and anyone who has a wildcard, it is a really good phone? i've never had a phone with texting/camera/keyboard ever before soo.. yeah.

THANK YOU. (: