2) Get yourself your own domain, which alleviates any need to rely on others for naming.
Well, not strictly true. Although domain names can be transferred from provider to provider, unless you're lucky enough to own your own hosting company or a business grade internet connection you will still be reliant on someone else to host your email for you (and no, don't think about trying to stick an email server on a residential grade broadband line, it generally won't work for many reasons and for your average Joe it's not worth the hassle, especially if your computer knowledge does not extend to knowing what an MX record is).
Anyway, I digress. Point being, choose your host wisely. Don't just go for the cheapest ones out there, they tend to have lousy support.