Left Your Cellphone Charger at Home? No problem!

Have you ever forgetten to pack the charger? This happens to almost everyone, and it's something we can relate to. Sometimes we pack too many portables, that we forget to keep track of all the cables. So before you walk out that door this 4th of July weekend, make sure you pack all the cables you need, or at least the essential ones, like your cell phone charger cable.

So what do you when you forget your cellphone charger while on vacation? Before you run to the nearest store, find out what else you can do before buying one:

• Lifehacker suggests that you ask your hotel if they have any spares, as in the "lost and found" behind the desk. Chances are they do, and if it fits your phone, the charger is yours. 
  
  
• Go to your carrier's local store, and ask for a quick charge, suggests one Lifehacker reader.
  
  
• Check the airport for charging stations. O'Hare plans to open 21 stations which will be free of charge. SmarteCarte stations cost $3.00 for 15 minutes a charge. Here's an article by USA Today with a list of airports that offer charging stations.
  
  
• Turn it off at night to save power, or only when you are not using it. Check your voicemail from another phone.
  
  
• Find out if you can forward calls to your hotel room from your cellphone.
  
  
• Change your voicemail message,and offer callers an alternate number where they can call you.
  

If all else fails, purchase the extra charger, and keep it in your laptop bag, so you don't forget it next time. Hilton Hotels carry universal-chargers for emergencies, says Mobiledia. Find out if your hotel shops has them in-store before you have to take that trip to the Best Buy.

Does anyone have other alternatives? By all means, feel free to chime in!