Well there is a cheat to lower your wanted level whenever you want to. Also when you go back into your house it will lower, also when yo change clothes. There should also be icons on the map where if you touch them they lower it. Just so you know- you can't leave any area that you are in until you are told to without getting a 4 star level- for example if you try to swim to sanfransisco from LA you will be scrwed. But once a new locale opens up then you can go back and forth at wwill.
Dude I do the same thing- I have like 10 games sitting beside me still in the plastic wrap- I buy when on sale and then I figure out what to play next. I am almost finished going through Mercenaries for the 2nd time so I will move on to something new. My definition of a good game is one that i at least try to finish- I have a lot of OK games but only about 33% good ones.
Any time you need help you can also check www.GAMEFAQS.COM - either the message boards or better yet the FAQ sections will usually help a brotha out. My memory sucks for a lot but you can also try asking me too.