Is it possible to be productive during the heat wave? All this extra time staying inside will give you a chance to help yourself and the environment. You can do this by organizing and unplugging cords under your desk, on counters and anywhere else cords are plugged into the wall. Right now its critical that we conserve energy. Anything that is plugged in, even if its not on is drawing power. By the way you are paying for this.

Tie loose cords together with cable ties. If you want to take it a step further add a label to the cord. This is helpful in the home office or entertainment center.

Tired of sorting through piles of owners manuals when you have a question about your camera or dishwasher? There are several ways to keep your manuals organized but here is a quick way to get started with the organizing process. If you do not have a lot of time begin by separating your manuals by "Appliances", "Electronics", "Equipment" and "Other." There are many ways to break these categories down further but this is the first step in the process. Its exciting to get a new appliance or gadget and sometimes keeping the paperwork together is the last thing on our minds when ripping open a box and trying to turn it on. Keep them safe and easy to find until you need them. Good Luck!

Have you ever lost your cell phone? It can be frustrating! Be sure to keep your IMEI, MEID or ESN numbers which can be found on your phone in a safe place. Use these numbers to identify your phone to carrier if ever lost. Use Find My Iphone App for the IPhone to locate your phone with GPS. For the Blackberry use the Blackberry locator App to to ring your phone even if its on vibrate or silent mode. Do this now before you loose your phone. Now if it could only find your keys.

Do you have a pile of old cell phones, batteries or chargers cluttering up your home or office? If you want to be better organized, get rid of those old electronics and recycle them! I just found out that Peapod the company I use to deliver my groceries will actually pick up my old cell phone, chargers and batteries and recycle them. I love this added service! Not only do I save time and money shopping online I get to give them items to recycle. Can't beat that!

We constantly upgrade our electronics but upgrades can leave us with tons of extra equipment. Most of the time our new piece of equipment is smaller, takes up less space and doesn't require all the extra parts and accessories you have stored away. Save yourself the headache of trying to keep old equipment organized and just send back to the manufacturer. Here are a few companies that offer a "Take Back" program. Some charge a fee for any brand and some are free when you buy new. Also check out your local electronics stores for Take Back events. And be sure to check out the companies recycle program at time of purchase.

Dell Recycling Service

Hewlett Packard Recycling Service

IBM Recycling Service

Do you have a lot of "One Time Use" items in you home or office? These are things that seemed like great purchases in the beginning but after the battery, ink, or other goo ran out you never replaced? This is how stuff can end up cluttering up our lives. We buy it thinking we are going to use forever and never replace the required supplies. Now it just sits there taking up space and collecting dust. Next time you are thinking about purchasing a toy, appliance or gadget make sure you the "supply included" is easily available and stock up now. If the items are not available now, how and where will you purchase when needed? Also, check out the cost for the little "extras" it requires. Is it worth buying this particular item or should you maybe upgrade to a better model right from the beginning that does not require so many parts? Think about this when trying to stay organized.

Do you find gadgets, cords and other things you think belong to your computer? Maybe they belong to your camera, phone or other electronics? Here's a quick tip on keeping some of these mystery items identified. As soon as you open a new product put the accessories in a resealable bag with a label. Or keep a home inventory of your electronics and other parts with pictures. Take a picture with your camera or cell phone and name each picture. Keep it in a file on your computer so you can refer to it when needed.

Chicago is in the middle of a major blizzard. Cars have been stranded on streets and highways and the snow continues to fall. Some people are without power unable to heat their homes, cook a meal or even make a phone call because their cell phones have run out of power. Be sure your are prepared for emergencies by keeping an old corded phone to make or receive calls. Be sure it does not need to be plugged in to an electrical outlet for power.

How many electronics are you currently carrying around? A cell phone, laptop computer, music player, Kindle? Heres a tip if you've been looking to lighten up the electronic load a bit.  I just discovered an inexpensive tablet computer that could make an easy addition to your electronics!   You might even be able to leave a few at home.  Check out Walgreens.com they are selling a tablet computer for $99.99! Yes, thats correct.  It features the Google Android Operating system, E-book reader, internet browsing, email, digital music, video player, digital camera, video camera and digital picture viewer.  Did I say the price is only $99.99?

Ever had the most perfect pictures planned for an occasion only to have the "low battery" light go on at the most critical moment? Oh, that is so sad and unfortunate! Your phone gets charged every night what about the poor little camera or the video camera? Keep your electronic charging cords and adaptors accessible and be sure to set a reminder for the holidays and special occasions to charge electronics!