Label those cords
OK, so this might seem like stating the bleeding obvious, but you really should label your cables and chargers.
I’d have scoffed at such advice myself not that long ago. However, as I’ve amassed more and more tech gadgets, and as many chargers and cables are no longer being branded with the device manufacturer’s name (why is that?), I’ve become the proud owner of a bag full of chargers and cables, and I don’t have a clue which device they go with.
Granted, I probably have more than the average number of gadgets, thanks to how I earn my livelihood, but as tech gadgets get more affordable and we upgrade them more often, it’s a problem that many people are already facing or will do so in the not-too-distant future.
How you label your accessories is up to you. I tend to use a long, rectangular sticky label (you can get packs of them for a couple of dollars at your local liquidation store), which I wrap around the cord and stick the ends to each other to form a tag.
Whichever method of identification you choose, it’s a good habit to get into — and you’ll be very thankful down the track.
Since I started labelling my cords and cables in this way, I haven’t been responsible for one single orphan accessory!
Gail Lipscombe has worked for some of Australia's hottest tech magazines for over 10 years. In her blog, she focuses on demystifying technology, gadgets and the web for average consumers.