I still have a stupid phone. i'm almost reluctant to get a new one. I guess you tube has all the answers. good luck.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I still have a question though, how do you know if an app you choose is a good one? I have heard some horror stories, don't know if they are true or not, but still wonder which apps are safe vs other apps.

My SIL has the same problem where she lives. T-Mobile supplied her with a signal booster free of charge. If you want to go the prepaid route, MetroPCS is now owned by T-Mobile, and also supplies a signal booster, but I don't know if it is free or not.

My new favorite app is Google Keep. It is basically a set of checklists. There are two things I love about it. First, because it is a google app, I can add items to my checklists from any device any time , and it automatically syncs on all devices. Second, I can add a location alert on a specific checklist. For example, I can add thread to my Joann's list from my computer, and when I am near the store, my phone will chime and I'll see that list on the screen.

I have to-do lists for all kinds of different things, from projects I am working on, my UFOs, household tasks, errands, etc.

I have a list with all of my family members names, and whenever they would mention something they were interested in, I would add it to the list. It made shopping for Christmas gifts so much easier.

If you have an Android phone, each app should tell you how many times it has been downloaded, has a star rating, and a list of reviews to help you decide. For iPhones, I believe every app is tested and approved by Apple.

I use the Out Of Milk app on my phone, it is a grocery list......whenever I am out of or think of something,no matter where I am, I can add to the list. I never have to worry about leaving my paper list at home. I also downloaded Drop Box app to my phone and have it on my desktop and laptop computer as well. It syncs across all devices. With the Drop Box app. you can make lists and take documents on your computer and copy them to the Drop Box app. I keep lists of what I need for a particular project, copies of my car and health insurance cards, knitting patterns, the manual to my sewing machines, also the universal medication lists for myself, my mom and my sister. Since I am caretaker for my Mom I also keep a copy of her medicare card, Gov. ID. and other things that in an emergency would be asked for.
You get a lot of free space and you can add or delete things as you want. I like to keep the knitting patterns of whatever I am using, so I can just look at the app on my phone to find what I have forgotten. I change those out depending on what I am making. Super handy when traveling.
Those two and the calendar on my phone are most critical for me. Of course, texting is extremely helpful too.
What phone service do you have? The website will have lots of tutorials to help you get started.

I have an Android phone also and my most used app is called "Just Reminder." I use it to remind myself of everything.... appointments, paying the condo fee, etc. I'd be lost without it as I don't use a paper pocket calendar anymore.

No matter what else you do, be sure to often double click the button at the bottom. This will show you all the apps hiding behind the main screen you have open that are sucking your data. Just use a finger to flick them up to the top of the screen to close them all until all you have is the main screen again.

I also like Flipp.....not sure if you have it in the US, but it is an app that shows you all the flyers for the groceries stores near you and you can type in the products you want and it compares all the prices. Then, you can pick the cheapest one and it will save it for you so that you can bring it up to price match when you go shopping. Saves me tons of money.

I also have Uber set up on on my phone, just in case.

Watson

JJBlaine, I called my phone company and the cost of a booster is $500, seeing I pre-pay for a year of service--no way to get one for free.
The gal did say they have a different flip phone that might work better. But it would cost $239, will keep checking to try and get a used one.

I have an iPhone and use lots of apps.
the Weather Channel app is great for local weather wherever you are. You can type in different locations if you will be traveling or have family somewhere else.
for news updates I use CNN ,USA Today and BBC apps
i use the Kindle and Audible apps for books.
i travel a lot and have lots of apps: for each airline I travel on, FlightStats for flight updates and gate changes. I use the AirBnB and VRBO apps for property rentals, as well as TripAdvisor for finding restaurants and places of interest wherever I am.
spotify app for music and playlists when I walk and exercise.
the TV Guide app for TV listings wherever I am.
Viber and WhatsApp for free international calling when hooked up to WiFi.
ebay and Amazon apps for shopping and price checking.
i have a Fitbit and use that app to monitor my steps and link it to both my Weight Watchers app and My FitnessPal app totrack calories, exercise and points.
i use Mylio to organize and edit my photos as I have a large photo library.
facebook and instagram to stay in touch socially.
the Pinterest app is great for finding and saving recipes and quilting ideas.
the Epicurious and AllRecipes apps are great for cooking recipes.

there are so many useful tools out there!
good luck and enjoy exploring. Ifyoudont likean app just delete it.