We’re all used to the typical packing list – shorts, sandals, sunscreen, skivvies and of course, all of those electronic gadgets. But technology is a lot like your toothbrush: It’s significantly less effective without the paste. Not that your digital camera runs on paste (that would be gross), but if you accidently leave the cord to recharge that camera at home, well, you might need paste to glue it back together when you throw it out the car window in frustration. We (and the state troopers) don’t want that to happen. So here are some tips to help make sure your technology stays functional and connected while you’re on vacation.

Bring enough juice

How many times have you been on vacation and run out of batteries? In the past, all you had to do was head down to the hotel gift shop and pick up a ridiculously overpriced pack of AAs. But it’s a little more complicated now, with different batteries for cameras, camcorders, cell phones, portable DVD players and laptops. So when you’re packing, be sure to check the battery life of your electronics and calculate the amount of time you need to stay charged when you are away from an outlet. If you do the math and decide that you’ll need some spares, here’s a handy battery finder to make sure you pick up the right one. And if you are using AA batteries, see if your device can take lithium batteries, which last longer, or rechargeable batteries, which can save you the hassle of tracking down replacement alkalines.

Need a quick burst of power? This charger from Energizer gets the job done in just 15 minutes.

Check your cards

Capturing memories only works if you bring along memory…memory cards, that is. Having a strategy for managing your media ahead of time can alleviate unnecessary stress on your vacation. Free up space before you go by transferring existing pictures from your cards to your computer. Check the capacity of your memory cards and make sure you will have enough storage, especially if you aren’t bringing along a computer to download pictures as you go.

Think about bringing along extra memory cards just in case, because it’s always a hassle to delete pictures to make room for more. Double-check the types of cards your camera accepts. Aside from Sony, most cameras take SD cards, but some older cameras don’t like the High Capacity ones.

As a general rule, use SD cards for pictures, SDHC cards for HD video and a Memory Stick if it’s a Sony.

If you take a lot of pictures with your smartphone and it accepts micro SD cards, think about bringing along an extra supply of those as well. Or if you don’t want to fiddle with cards, you can sign up for a free backup service like m:IQ, which automatically saves your mobile phone pictures to the cloud. Although the photo quality is usually not as good, it’s often the fastest, easiest way to share your vacation with friends and family back home while you’re on the road.

Don’t forget the cords

Isn’t it amazing (and annoying) how many power cords are in our lives now? So before you go, line up all of your technology and make sure that each one has its cord (and any other accessory that goes with it, like the case or tripod). While you’re at it, take a good look, because you might realize that your phone, camera and GPS can all use the same plug. One handy idea is to pack each cord in a sock to prevent tangles in your luggage. (We suggest a clean sock.) Another way to simplify is to check out the Portable Powermat, which charges three devices at once by simply placing them on the mat.

When traveling internationally, be sure to bring a plug adapter, and check the wattage in your hotel so you don’t fry your laptop. And if you are taking a long road trip, think about bringing along an AC to DC inverter to keep that PSP, DVD player and iPad charged in the back seat, which in turn will keep your darling children from looking out each other’s windows.

AC Adapters come in all shapes and sizes. Don’t forget to pack them all.

Stay connected

Without cell phone coverage and internet access on vacation, you might feel like Tom Hanks in Cast Away. So do your homework ahead of time and make sure your phone carrier provides service wherever you are going. If you’re not sure you’re covered, compare different carriers’ coverage maps and while you’re at it, see if you are eligible for a phone upgrade. Staying connected internationally has its own challenges. Make sure your phone and plan have you covered, and if not, you might need to switch phones, add a month-to-month international plan or switch carriers.

For Internet access, check with your hotel ahead of time to see if they are connected and, if so, how much they charge per day. Smartphones are getting more and more sophisticated, and some are like having a computer in your hand, offering the ability to check e-mail, surf the web and download apps like Facebook. If you have a 3G or 4G phone, there are some phones that actually allow you to use that signal to create your own hotspot. Or, look into a mobile broadband aircard, which enables you to get Internet access wherever there is cell phone coverage.

Aircards are often free when you sign up for a new 2-year contract.

Keep protected

Water and sand are a dream for vacation but a nightmare for technology. There are simple things you can do to keep your technology safe and functional. Bring along some plastic resealable freezer bags to stow your tech before you hit the beach or get on the boat. Some cameras and camcorders are made specifically to be water, are sand resistant or have protective cases available – some that even float. Some MP3 players also have waterproof cases and earbuds so you can listen to tunes as you float down that lazy river. (If your phone gets wet, you can always try this.) And of course there are protection plans available that can cover you in case of basic wear and tear or accidental damage.