I nearly did not make it to our honeymoon. Seriously. Just minutes before (or maybe even several after) we were supposed to leave for the airport for a week-long honeymoon in paradise, I couldn’t find my camera’s charging cord. Not only was the camera cord lost, but I was losing my mind.  I raced through the house like a crazy woman, searching every nook and cranny for that darn cord. I darted from room to room with tears welling up in my eyes at the thought of seeing Costa Rica for the first time without my camera. I emptied nearly every drawer in the house and searched every bag as my husband stood helpless in the living room, wondering if he was ever going to get his new bride in the car and on the plane.

Eventually, I found the cord,  threw it in my backpack, calmed down, and we enjoyed an amazing week in the land of pura vida. And I have the pictures to prove it. See how relaxed I look?

Calm and relaxed at Tabacon Hot Springs in Costa Rica. (Photo by Steve Teget for postcard jar.com)

Calm and relaxed at Tabacon Hot Springs in Costa Rica. (Photo by Steve Teget for postcard jar.com)

So happy I had a charged camera to capture the beautiful flowers in Costa Rica. (Photo by Ann Teget for postcard jar.com)

So happy I had a charged camera to capture the beautiful flowers in Costa Rica. (Photo by Ann Teget for postcard jar.com)

Steve had a glorious day of relaxation at Manuel Antonio Beach in Costa Rica. (Photo by Ann Teget for postcard jar.com)

Steve had a glorious day of relaxation at Manuel Antonio Beach in Costa Rica. (Photo by Ann Teget for postcard jar.com)

When we got home, I realized I had issues. With cords. I never put them in the same place. They were typically tangled. And, I was always scrambling at the last minute before a trip to find every connection I’d need. It drove my husband nuts and I had to find a solution.

So I did. To best organize all of the cords I need for a trip, I keep them all in one place — an inexpensive, clear, plastic bag I found at our local Wal-Mart for a couple bucks. I neatly fold each cord and secure it with a hair band that is soft and easy to remove. In addition, I’ve purchased duplicates of almost all of my cords, so that I have one set that I use around the house, and one set that is ready to go in my carry-on bag whenever we leave for a trip.

I make sure I have extra batteries, ear buds, phone chargers, camera cords, and USB adapters and can I just say that preparing to get out the door is SO MUCH EASIER. Just ask my husband.  (Note from Steve:  It is so much better now.  So much.)

How do you manage all of the electronics and cords you need for a trip? Leave us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.