What are the best essential apps for a newbie?? Please help...

I'm new to Mac and in dire need of apps so that I can utilize my Mac for more than the very basic. Other than regular updates, I haven't put anything on it yet. I want to be able to do the basics - type a document/report, a sign, labels or design cupcake toppers or things for my child (a problem I've run into this week preparing for my child's birthday). I'd also like a money/finance app and wondered if there was something available than the usual Quicken. There are so many apps to choose from and I don't want to spend more than I have to or spend anything on something that I don't need or won't use. I'm all for spending money on doing it right, just need some guidance. Any suggestions?
Another question: What's the best way to protect my Mac? I'm careful about emails, etc., and I'm scared to death to download any apps online unless it's the App Store - am I correct in thinking that it's safe??
I appreciate any and all suggestions in advance...this has been quite the headache

Apple's own iWork suite (+Pages, Numbers, Keynote)+ is more than enough for the vast majority of users. I'm a "power user" - I prepare manuscripts for publishing using InDesign and Microsoft Word. Those are the tools I have to work with to be as close to 100% compatible with my collaborators as possible.
*But for all of MY document creation needs, I use Pages.* It's very powerful, providing all of the tools, templates, etc., one could want. And for presentations? Keynote is simply amazing and so much better than PowerPoint could ever hope to be. (and FYI, we're expecting anydaynow that Apple will release iWork '11... +since there is no indication from Apple whether those who purchase iWork '09 apps will have free or discounted upgrates to iWork '11 apps, you might want to wait+).
Labels is the one thing that catches a lot of folks when they move to the Mac - they expect it to be a part of the word processor (Pages), when it's really in a more logical place - *Address Book*! Use AB to track your contacts. Make groups of contacts (like, Christmas list), Select the group you want to print onto labels, and choose File-->Print. In the Print dialogue, you'll find options to choose various label formats and other customizations.
Two essential additions are Perian and Flip4Mac. These are two System Preference add-ons that will allow your Mac to play WMV and other multimedia files that you may encounter on the internet.
For much more information and suggestion for new Mac owners, check out the Mac Help section at the Canadian Mac User's forum, ehmac.ca! We have a thread specific to your question, always pinned to the top of the forum
Message was edited by: Mark Rushton1

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