This project details a small & simple, but very powerful USB charger for your mp3 player, camera, cell phone, and just about any other gadget you can plug into a USB port to charge. It is designed to be a beginner's kit, a project that people will want to build (because of its functionality) and will learn about electronics, soldering, and basic power supply design. By directing people towards constructing their own gadgets, we can turn the American consumer cycle (desire-purchase-discard) into a more personalized experience (desire-purchase-build-learn): one which hopefully does not end with another piece of plastic in landfills.