Wired earbuds have a talent for becoming a knot the second they leave your sight. I would pull them out of my bag and spend thirty seconds untangling, every single time. The fix cost me about a nickel and sits on my desk right now.

The binder clip method

Grab a binder clip, the kind you use for papers. Fold the earbuds loosely around your fingers, then clamp the clip over the cord right below the earpieces. That is it.

The clip holds everything in place and gives you a little weighted anchor, so the cord does not snake around and tie itself into knots in your bag or drawer.

Why this works better than wrapping

Tightly wrapping cords around your hand actually encourages tangling, because the loops twist as they sit. A loose fold with a clip on the end keeps the loops from pulling tight.

A few variations I like:

• Clip the cord to your shirt collar or pocket so the earbuds do not pull when you move.
• Stick a binder clip to the edge of your desk and thread the cord through the metal loop as a cable holder.
• Use a mini clip for a keychain or a bag pocket.

It is the kind of fix that is almost too simple to write an article about, but the first time you reach for your earbuds and they come out ready to use, you will get it.