How to Find Your Lost Cell or Cordless Phone

Scenario:

My wife and I both have cell phones. We no longer use a home phone since we're on the go all the time. Why pay for a landline you hardly use.

Step 1: Materials and Explanation:

I "misplace" my phone "occasionally", and my normal method to find it is to call my phone with my wife's. There are times, however, when she isn't home, and I can't find my phone.

Here is my solution:

You will need a PC with an internet connection.

Step 2: It's This Simple

***UPDATE 10/25/2010***

Google discontinued its service. Use this instead.
http://www.icantfindmyphone.com/

as seen on Gizmodo.

***END UPDATE***

Open your browser and go to www.google.com/maps

NOTE:
Google Maps no longer has this option. Recently there was an entry on lifehacker that was pretty similar to this instructable.

http://lifehacker.com/5252595/find-your-lost-cellphone-with-google-voice

Step 3: Enter a Name of a Business in Your Area

Enter the name of a real business in your local area (preferably a large, well established business).

For this Instructable I used Sam's club.

Step 4: Matches to Your Query Will Be Found. Here's What You Do.

Once matches to your query are found a long list will appear on the left side of the screen. There should be a "CALL" link below the some of the business names that are listed. Click any of the "CALL" links.

Step 5: Enter Your Phone Number

After you complete step 4 you will be prompted to enter your phone number. Enter your cell or home phone number and click the "Connect for Free" button.

Step 6: Listen Intently for Your Ringtone

Your phone will begin ringing momentarily. Answer the phone and hang up immediately before you are connected to the business that Google is trying to connect you to.

I'm sure there are other services that do this too, but this is the one I use.

This will also work for those of you with older cordless phones that were manufactured before the SEEK feature was invented.