Current technology allows us to track just about anything in our lives. This includes everything from how many steps you took during your lunch break to how many times you've listened to your favorite song.
Even with these capabilities, however, it's all too common to misplace everyday items like your cell phone, car keys, or wallet.
Not only is losing these items time consuming -- how many times have you been late to work because you couldn't find your car keys? -- but it's also potentially costly.
A recent study found that one in five U.S. adults misplaces or loses personal belongings each week, and those losses amount to an average of $5,591 over the course of a lifetime.
Luckily, the days of losing things can be behind you. There are a number of personal item trackers on the market that can help you find lost items -- or just make sure they're not lost in the first place.
Here are seven ways to use item trackers to keep tabs on your stuff.
1. Find Your Phone With Tile
Tile is among the most popular item-tracking devices, in part because of its dual capabilities. The tiny square tile can be connected to a keychain, helping you locate your keys either through a sound or by using the Tile app to locate the keys on a map.
However, what if you have your keys, but not your phone? Tile has you covered. You can press Tile to ring your phone loudly, even if it happens to be in silent mode.
Tile costs $25 for one device (CA/UK) or $70 for a pack of four (CA/UK).
Download -- Tile app for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
2. Find Your Wallet With TrackR
The folks at TrackR have come up with a model designed specifically for wallets and purses. It's an ultra-thin device you can easily slip into your wallet, and then use the TrackR app to locate the billfold should you lose it.
TrackR also uses a system called Crowd GPS, which is basically an item tracking network that can help you find lost items in a given location.
The TrackR system costs $29.95 for one device (CA/UK), $49.95 for two, and $99.95 for eight (buy four, get four free).
Download -- TrackR app for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
3. Find Your Medication With PebbleBee Honey
Tracking devices for health-related items are obviously important. In fact, hospitals use a similar concept to track medical equipment. For smaller-scale medication tracking, though, you'll only need PebbleBee.
PebbleBee describes the Honey as a Bluetooth tracker for everyday life, and for many that includes daily medication. The trackers are tiny, about 5mm thick and weighing 0.2 ounces. They attach easily to your travel pillbox, which can be particularly handy if you're moving or traveling but know you'll need certain meds.
Another strength of PebbleBee trackers is they have internal LEDs, making it easier to find items in the dark.
Pricing for the trackers ranges from $25 for one (CA/UK) to $100 for six.
Download -- PebbleBee for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
4. Find Your Keys With LUPO
The LUPO tracker is great for house keys or car keys because of its relatively small size compared to other trackers. LUPO trackers are tiny discs that are 5mm thin and 36mm in diameter, and they weigh just eight grams.
Another cool feature of LUPO is the devices have a programmable button, which can be useful for all sorts of applications. A common one is to use the button to control the camera on your phone, allowing you to take selfies at a distance.
LUPO isn't yet available in the U.S. In the UK the device costs £19.95 for one, £87.50 for five. Should it make its way to the U.S., that would equate to about $26 and $113 respectively.
Download -- LUPO for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
5. Find Your Bike With LoccaMini
The LoccaMini tracker is larger than most of the other models discussed here, but it can be a savior for bike owners. Using the manufacturer's Bike Pack, owners can turn the LoccaMini into an alarm system for their bicycle, including a siren and GPS location capabilities. The LoccaMini is still in development but is expected to start shipping products by the end of 2016.
The Bike Pack edition of LoccaMini costs approximately €145, or about $162. Users insert the unit into a mount on the frame of the bike, allowing you to set zones your bike needs to stay within and triggering an alarm if your bike is moved out of its set zone.
Download -- Coming soon to iOS | Android | Windows Phone
6. Find Your Luggage With Chipolo
The Chipolo tracking device is a small and round edition that comes in a wide variety of fun and flashy colors. The devices can be attached to just about any item, including your luggage while traveling.
Imagine being in a busy foreign airport where the baggage claim area is a zoo. Wading through sea of people and suitcases can cause anxiety among even the most seasoned travelers, but a device such as Chipolo can offer peace of mind by helping you quickly find your belongings.
To find your suitcase, you ring the device just like you would a lost phone. The Chipolo device plays a loud tune that can be heard within its 200-foot Bluetooth range.
Chipolo costs $29.95 for one device (CA/UK), $49.95 for two, and $99.96 for a family pack of four.
Download -- Chipolo iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
7. Find Your Car With Hum
Hum turns your car into a smart car, including the ability to track its location using GPS. It also includes other features, such as easy access to roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics and access to a certified mechanics hotline.
The system costs $29.99, plus $20 for a one-time activation fee. Users must also pay $10 per month for the service (plus taxes and fees), and a two-year subscription is required.
Download -- Hum app for iOS (Free) | Android (Free)
What Will You Stop Losing?
There are a wide variety of item trackers on the market, which can make choosing the right one a tough decision. However, the best way to decide is to first identify what you will be tracking. If it will be used for simple items such as keys or a phone, there are boatloads of options. If it's for something more specific such as a car, there are likewise specific options.
The important thing is that you stop wasting your time rummaging around the house for the same lost things!
What do you lose most often? Tell us in the comments section below!