Google play, google aps, google account, gmail wtf (codes, purchase, Internet)

[Giesela]

I just got a smartphone for the first time. I would like to buy an app. So there is an app store. I get my old? google account going (hardly ever used for anything) with my regular internet provide address. Deal with 2 step verification and codes.
But I can't use that account with Google play. It insists on a gmail address.
how many google accounts does 1 person need? how much of this am i going to run into?
i have no idea what my old gmail account is. But apparently i had one or two because
the user names i usually use are taken.
This all makes me so tired

[scottinpdx]

Google has combined all their service Google (Mail, Play, Google+, Drive, Youtube, etc...). Just create a new Gmail Account. If your username that you usually use is taken, make a different one up. Then go to play.google.com and shop away!

[Peregrine]

Right. Just make a new one and start over. No big deal.

[adyn]

......soooooo you made a gmail account or a few, can't remember them, when google asks you to log in to keep track of what apps you purchase you get annoyed at them? What?