Almost everyone has multiple gadgets that they need to keep charged.  Between the cell phone, mp3 player, and tablet, tables and desks can look like a maze of cords.  They can take up valuable space and become a hazard.  Fortunately, you can create a charging station that will keep your items handy and organized.

Clear Table Space

Instead of laying your gadgets on a desk , table, or counter taking up space, consider another option: a wall shelf.  One idea is to take the IKEA magazine holders and fasten a flat piece of wood on top, stain everything and hang it on the wall.  You can use the magazine holders as a place to store your mail when you bring it in the house.  The shelf will hold the cell phones and other items that need charged.  The only requirement is that you place it near an electrical outlet.

Use a Cubby

Get a cubby like they have in daycares and schools and fasten it on a wall close to an outlet.  Fasten a piece of white board close to the back of the cubby with small holes drilled for the cords.  

Since the start of the recession three or four years ago, fewer people have purchased new cars. This year however, the tide is ebbing as the economy, job market, and real estate market show true signs of recovery. With more money in their pockets, people are ready to finally purchase a new car. They are, however, still conditioned to get the most value with the least cost. Resale value, a combination of popularity, functionality, and longevity, is an important factor to consider when seeking the best bang for your buck. Here are this year’s top ten cars that retain the highest value at resale.

1. Jeep Wrangler

One of the most iconic American vehicles, the Jeep Wrangler has been around for over sixty years. Starting at a base price of $23,000, it’s also one of the most affordable four-wheel drive vehicle with off-road capability. The Jeep’s new upgrade for the 2012 model is a powerful, fuel-efficient V6 engine. After five years, the Jeep Wrangler retains a value of 55 percent. 

2. Toyota FJ Cruiser

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a modern update of the classic Land Cruiser. The new Toyota Cruiser is built similar to the Toyota 4Runner and is equipped to handle the toughest off-road courses. Good for weekend camping trips, daily driving, and off-roading, this vehicle retains a value of 50 percent or more after five years. 

Have you ever had a stranger offer you their place in line at a grocery store or open the door for you when your hands were full? If you’ve really been lucky, maybe someone paid for your meal at a drive-thru. We call these random acts of kindness - when someone does something nice for us even when they don’t know us.  

The idea is to be nice to someone so they can pass it on to someone else. If we all lived this way, think how much nicer the world (or your community) would be. Here are a few ideas to help you with some random acts of kindness of your own.

Money

One of the biggest ways you can help someone is by using your money. You can do any of the following and it will make a difference:

-Put a quarter in a meter when you are about to leave or in the spot next to you

-Tip a service person more than the usual

-When you leave a foreign country, give away all of the currency that is left instead of converting it back

While the next NFL season is still a few months away, you can start thinking about the picks for your fantasy team now. Here are some key players in transitional years, that you should keep your eye on throughout the offseason. 

Peyton Manning

This change could have the biggest influence on the 2012 season, at least for fantasy team owners. Will Manning do an outstanding job with the Broncos, or will the change of scenery change his game? Many experts expect to see a better Broncos team just with Manning there. Others are concerned with how his health will affect his game and the entire team.

Indianapolis Colts

Two players on this team could change things for the season. While they had the worst record last season, Reggie Wayne played good football, even without Manning. Now that they have the number 1 draft pick in Andrew Luck, things are expected to change. They also signed Coby Fleener, Luck’s teammate at Stanton, to provide a winning combination with a star quarterback and a top tight end.

In addition to bulk boxes of Cheez-It crackers and discounted flat screen TVs, shoppers can now purchase ready-to-go mortgages at the wholesale depot Costco.

Partnering with First Choice Bank and ten other lenders, Costco now offers a mortgage lending program on its website. After a year of testing more than 10,000 mortgages, Costco will move into an aggressive promotion campaign to gather more members and provide a wider range of financial products.

"The Costco service, while offering competitive options for its members, still warrants comparison shopping and research," says Keith Gumbinger of the mortgage information company HSH.com. Gumbinger surmises that the Costco services may provide more opportunities to homeowners looking to refinance, than those looking to purchase a home. "The process of purchasing a home happens face-to-face, and isn’t yet suited for online transactions," Gumbinger says.