An apparatus comprising equipment provides a principal functionality other than two-way communication. A computing device in the apparatus controls the equipment. The apparatus operates in a plurality of modes including an operational mode and a paid off mode. When the apparatus is in the operational mode, the computing device communicates with a remote computer and in response, receives an instruction that is based on a state of a financial account. Based on the received instruction, the computing device controls whether the equipment provides the principal functionality. When the apparatus is in the paid off mode, the equipment provides the principal functionality without being controlled by the computing device based on the state of the financial account. The apparatus transitions from the operational mode to the paid off mode based on a wireless communication from the remote computer resulting from an amount owed in the financial account being paid off.