Application backup/restore - for saving resources I was thinking I could completely backup apps to the SD card, and then restore them when needed.  This for saving system resources.

Is there some efficient way to do this?
There are numerous options available to you:


Titanium Backup
For ICS upwards, Settings > Backup &amp; Reset > Backup my data/Backup account 
For GB, Settings > Privacy Settings > Backup my data
Last but not least, adb backup


In that order of "user-friendliness", from a android application that requires rooted access, in reference to Titanium Backup, to the least, using the command line adb backup.