It sucks that they make you purchase the device. Thankfully, when you do, there's no additional monthly charges. Why not speak to a retention specialist and see if they'll send you on for free, or use one on a 'loaner' basis like Sprint does?
This might be able to help you out.
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/150840-samsung-galaxy-s4-aka-the-galaxy-s3s-proof-that-smartphones-are-becoming-pcs
Does Verizon have a femtocell solution like Sprint's Airave?