Cheap/Free software to keep track of project tasks

Turkey

I work as a contract programmer. Between a recent increase in work and some projects reaching the "post release support" stage, I'm starting to have some difficulty keeping track of which tasks to do first.

So far I've been using Notepad, spreadsheets and sticky notes to keep track of my schedule. I'm not even sure what the proper name for the software I'm looking for is. Ideally, this is what the program would do:

1. Set different projects and add a list of tasks for each.
2. Give each task a priority value.
3. Give each project a priority value.
4. Allow sorting between projects, so I can determine which task should be done first.
5. Some sort of Calendar functionality, so I can keep track of progress better.

I would really appreciate any recommendations, whether it's a software suite, a bunch of different programs that I can use, or just advice on how to manage things better with what I have.

Serpent

Outlook? If that's not enough, you could add the Getting Things Done plugin, probably.

Turkey

I checked Outlook and the GTD plugin. I had no idea Outlook could be more than an e-mail client. Unfortunately, they are way too expensive for me at the moment.

BigBadWolf

Do you need something offline - or is a web-based solution applicable? It might be worth looking into the various project management websites out there (Basecamp being the first that comes to mind). I believe a lot of them do free 'limited' accounts.

Alternatively there's something like FogBugz - its designed to be used as a software bug-tracker but I'd imagine you could add other tasks as well. Its also completely free if you need less than 2 users. It can also be integrated with their sourcecontrol hosting Kiln (again free if less than 2 users) if you needed it.

tapeslinger

I use a combination of:
*Evernote for sync-able data management between my devices, for lists, novel chapters, other work stuff. Evernote has bucket loads of functionality and is free. ( I think there is an even better not as free version, ymmv.)
*Calendar for my android phone; I set up alerts to schedule/manage time because I gave the worst time management skills ever and need to be reminded to do things
*and handwritten index cards to make specific tasks/projects more "concrete"-- I can spread them out, organize them, and sort them, and having a paper trail makes it easier to make me feel responsible for something, plus index cards are portable and satisfying to shred when the project is complete.

You might also find OneNote for Windows useful but the price point for that might also be prohibitive. I think there might not be a magic app for all of these things, it might come down to finding some smaller ones that all tie together.

Turkey

@BigBadWolf - Basecamp seems almost exactly what I'm looking for. I'm not a fan of subscription models for software, but in the future I might give it a shot.

@tapeslinger - Seems like Evernote will do for what I need. I hadn't thought of using my phone as well.

Edit - Oh snap! Evernote is available on all my portable devices! I think we have a winner.