Cookie sheets may seem like an odd suggestion for a road trip, but they have LOTS of uses! If you're traveling with kids, cookie sheets make great trays for snacks or on-the-go meals -- the edges help catch spills!

If you flip them over, they make a great desk for coloring, card games, and other activities that are better on a flat surface. If you have really little guys traveling with you, bring along those metallic letters and numbers. They stick to the cookie sheets, for lots of fun play.

Finally, they're a good seat divider between arguing siblings.

[Photo: Flickr | Veganbaking.net]

On cruise ships, most hallways and doors look alike -- especially after a few drinks.

To help identify your room, bring along a picture of something familiar, like the family dog -- but NO personal pictures, for safety reasons -- and tape it to your door along with a BIG stick-on Christmas bow, glittery streamers, or other eye-catching, but easily removable object.

No mistaking your room now! Plus, you're frequently reminded of your great dogs, waiting for you back home.

Want to smell great while traveling without risking your expensive -- and probably large -- bottle of fragrance? There are several options to try.
1.) Many fragrances are available in solid form, a great alternative.
2.) Ask for multiple samples of your favorite fragrance and pack those in a medicine (or similar) bottle with a tight seal.
3.) Spritz cotton balls and place in an airtight container. Rub on, or stick in a pocket, as you travel.
4.) Pour some of your usual fragrance into a plastic "spritz" bottle from the travel-size section of a grocery or drug store. It's cheaper than a travel atomizer.

Smell ya later!

Removing your shoes to pass through security doesn't mean you have to pick up dirt, germs, and everything else left behind by fellow travelers. In a plastic baggie in an exterior pocket of your carry-on, store a bag of hand wipes along with an old pair of socks, or disposable slip-on booties like hospital workers wear.

Slide those on when you slip your shoes off, and after passing through security, peel off those germy socks or booties and return them to their resealable bag for your return trip, while putting clean feet in your shoes.

Use the hand wipes and you're good to go -- germ-free!