yosteve,
We all get force close periodically. I see one about once a week. If you're getting it frequently then it's a compatibility issue.
Here's my suggestion. It's laborious but it will work...
1. Do a factory reset. Ouch!
2. Purchase Titanium Backup. You can backup apps and their data
3. Root your phone. You need to do this to backup your app data. You don't need to unlock the boot loader, just root it which is very simple.
4. Backup your apps using Titanium Backup before you install any app.
5. Make sure that app you just installed doesn't start the force closes. If it does delete it.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5.
If you get in a situation where deleting an app doesn't stop the force closes then do a factory reset. But, this time since you have Titanium Backup installed it only takes minutes to restore your apps again.
If you want a "full image backup" then you'll need a new recovery program like TWRP. It can do an image of your OS and apps. But that means a root AND unlock of your phone. Neither of which are difficult to do.