I'm often asked how to deal with cords or electronic gadgets that seem to multiply in the night. Here are the top three questions I get asked most and my suggestions.
Q No. 1: I can never find a pair of headphones, the phone charger for my car or the cord to download the photos from my camera. What can I do to help?
A: The simple answer is to create a home for your cords or electronics. This may be a labeled drawer or basket or something fancier like a cord pouch or GRID-IT. It is not only important to label the storage container, but the cords themselves. This takes the mystery out of the process. You can use a label maker to print labels and attach them to the cords, or place them in labeled Ziploc bags. Bread clips also work well for labeling and clip easily to the cord. And as for keeping them tangle free, this is my favorite.
Q No. 2: The cords from my computer, printer, fax, phone and everything else are all tangled and having them hang out all over the place make my office look like a cluttered mess. What do you suggest?
A: The use of wireless technology is certainly helping with this predicament. That being said, my first answer is always to simplify. Using a wireless service and products that accomplish multiple tasks save space and cord chaos. In addition to that, some of my other favorite solutions include binder clips and clever hiding.
Q No. 3: The cords and remotes from my kids Wii, Playstation, X-box are all over the family room and it drives me crazy. What is the solution?
A: Similar to my answer in question No. 1, it is all about labeling and creating a home for the items. Give a different basket or drawer for each type of electronic game and label the pieces (Wii, PS3, X-Box). Open containers are more likely to get used because having to open something adds an additional step to putting something away. Teach your child that placing the remote of play piece in the correct bin will help them to find what they need faster and allow them to have more play time.
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