1. Secure your privacy: Believe it or not, the world does not need to see what you did on girls' night out. This year educate yourself and tighten up the privacy settings on all of your social media outlets, especially Facebook.  Paranoid about the private data on your phone being seen? Try a new app like iDiscrete which allows iPhone users to store certain sensitive videos and images separate from the others on the phone.

2. Have a backup plan: Losing important documents and photos can be a traumatic experience.  Backing up data to a separate hard drive is one way, but if you have a lot of data, saving it to "the cloud" maybe your best bet.  This means you store it elsewhere on the internet from where it can always be retrieved.  There is some cost to that option but it might be your best bet. You can subscribe to a backup provider like CrashPlan+, where you can backup files online and offline onto friends' and family's computers. CrashPlan offers free personal service with advertising and higher levels of service at a cost.  PCmag.com rated CrashPlan and other online backup providers like Mozy, Norton and more.  See what fits your needs but do it now!

3. Protect your computer:  Make sure your antivirus software is updated. Hackers are working nonstop to try to infiltrate our computers with spyware, malware and viruses. A service like Norton can help. Mac computers are less susceptible.

4. Organize your tools:  Reduce physical clutter and optimize productivity.  Keep spaghetti from behind your desk cheaply by using beaded pony-tail ties. Just as the pony holder keeps hair together it can do the same for power cords and connectors. Update your mobile accessories for efficiency. Callpod.com has a large selection of products.

5. Go Green:  Remember to turn off and unplug devices when not in use (like overnight). Not only will it increase the life of the gadget but it will save you money. Passive electricity adds to your electric bill. Also, do not leave charger cords plugged into the wall when not in use. They still draw power. And don't leave the charger plugged into your gadget while not in the wall. It can draw off the charge!

Jillian Brown from Code42 Software, makers of CrashPlan+, contributed to this article.