How to Maximize Your Car Cup Holder.

Including a cup holder in the interior design of a car may have been the greatest idea since sliced bread. However, using it for a cup only is a close minded notion. With so many other things to throw in it, the more popular of which I’ll include in this article, you have the ability to create a home away from home, or a mobile office.

Sitting in your car as you make that dreary drive to the office is a chore, but wouldn’t it be even worse if you didn’t have a place for your coffee, soda, or wake-up call energy drink? The most likely use is for food and drink, so likely that once they were included, the auto industry began putting cup holders in all their designs. Until a spill occurs, you’ve probably forgotten your cup holder was even there.

The number of beverage holders included increases in relationship to our increased technology. As cell phones and PDA’s become smaller and smaller, the cozy fit in our auto cup holders yield natural storage. With a centrally located position, it’s hard to miss a call. (Many states are passing "hands free" laws regarding cell phone usage, and although I agree we should be driving first, texting after driving, the cup holder is still a logical place to store these types of devices.)

For myself, I’m always counting out pennies while waiting in line at the drive-thru. Other than the few nickels, and occasional dirty dime masquerading as a penny, there only ever seems to be copper coins. This use is probably found more among the younger generations, like those going to high school or college, but it is nonetheless a logical practice.

There’s one last topic, and probably the most creative. Various articles on the web describe a laptop tray that extends from the cup holder in your car. Constructed of PVC pipe, duct tape, and glue, this inventive use is described as making the morning commute more exciting. Cool idea or not, I don’t promote using any device while the car is on, or more importantly while it is in motion. For more information (or to see a picture with a detailed description) search “cup holder laptop tray” on any search engine.