Hi everyone! I’m still pretty new to the foss world and am actively working to de-google my life. I got a cheap used laptop and just installed Linux Mint so I can get some practice with Linux in general (raised as a Windows kid) and I have definitely appreciated the ease of Linux Mint, but I do plan to explore many other distros in the future as well.

I currently have the following:

Email: ProtonMail (and looking into Thunderbird and Tuta).

Messaging: Signal as my main, but I also have Molly that I am planning to migrate over once I can get my family on board.

Browser: Been heavily experimenting with this as I used to use the default browser (I have a Galaxy S23FE) and then switched to Firefox Focus while simultaneously checking out Brave (no, it’s not still on my phone), however I am currently using IronFox as my main on my phone and LibreWolf as my main on my computers.

File storage: Proton Drive

Calendar: TimeTree (for friends/family) and Proton Calendar for personal.

VPN: Proton (I have the package deal) but have also been researching Mullvad as a possible future alternative.

Password Manager: Proton Pass (would be open to suggestions on others. I’ve heard BitWarden thrown around)

YouTube alternatives: Still playing around with LibreTube, FreeTube, and PeerTube, but I really like LibreTube’s layout, just wish they’d pull the comments section too :/

Images/Videos: Also Proton Drive, but that’s more of just a backup of them. Any suggestions in this area would be appreciated too!

I haven’t had a chance to look heavily into it yet, but does anyone have any resources/knowledge on any banks that are foss-friendly? I’m in the US and there’s plenty of laws around mandatory data, but if anyone knows of a bank that stops at that, I’d love to hear! I do eventually plan to go all-cash/pre-paid gift/credit cards, but a bank account seems necessary for now…

Anyways, please feel free to give me any and all suggestions! Thanks!