ECO BOOST

If the holidays brought you upgraded electronics, chances are you're happy to ditch your outmoded gear--that clunky flip phone, your first generation iPod or the VCR that predates your oldest child.

Luckily there's a new way to dispose of these gadgets in good conscience: EcoSquid, a free web service that helps you de-clutter, recycle and make a few bucks.

Think of it like a Priceline.com for electronic trade-ins; EcoSquid searches multiple sites that offer cash (or donations) for gadgets, and selects the best deal available to you. And since they take everything from camcorders to toner cartridges, it's easy to get obsessive about trading in your old junk.

Say you've got a used Blackberry. Simply search for your model and answer some quick questions about the item's condition. EcoSquid then provides you with trade-in results organized by offer amount--we got $75 with free postage for that Blackberry, but really old or broken products go for much less. Once you've made your choice, you're connected with the company that will coordinate the swap and payment.

Recycling should always be this easy.