Memory frustration!

[bentleysmom]

So I've been having memory issues for a while. My storage memory has been between 6 and 9 free MB now for too long. Everything I installed, I installed to storage memory. All my pictures and data are on storage memory. Nothing is in main memory but two ringtones. And I didn't have a lot of apps installed either.

I had enough so I decided to uninstall everything from Add/Remove Programs ....... and I got 10MB back ..... so I had 17MB. Ridiculous.

Frustrated to no end, I did a hard reset. I checked my memory, and it already has 56MB used!

Is this the norm out of the box? Or is there something wrong with my phone?

I'm scared to flash to a custom rom, but is that's starting to sound like it's my only option ....

I'm open to suggestions?!?!
As always I appreciate and respect your advice!