Heloise

I’ve traveled to Europe for months at a time sometimes with carry-on luggage, and this method has been very helpful. — Sheri C., A Faithful Reader in Camarillo, California

Sheri, as a veteran traveler myself, I’ve always loved ideas that make life a little safer and cleaner while traveling. When I traveled, I used this method to cover my shoes, and it worked beautifully. I have also used freezer bags, which I recycled many times to keep my shoes from spreading dirt and germs on my clothes. Thanks for the hint! — Heloise

MICROCHIPPED PETS

Dear Heloise: Anne M. recently wrote to you with a suggestion about calling animal control for stray cats. As a shelter volunteer, I must say that here in Tucson, Arizona, we and the Humane Society have insufficient resources to pick up healthy cats. Instead, we recommend taking a friendly stray to any vet clinic to check for a microchip (which is free) and search for the owner.

Also, a post online (such as on Nextdoor or Lost.PetcoLove.org) and/or flyers in the neighborhood might help reunite a missing cat with their family. — Carol G., Pima Animal Care Center Cat Volunteer

Carol, this is an excellent idea to return a cat to its owner! And for those who have cats, have them microchipped the next time they get their shots. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

Dear Heloise: The key fob for my 4-year-old Toyota can be pressed to lock or unlock my car, and it can also be pressed to sound the horn. If I can’t find my car in a large lot, I hold the key fob over my head, press the horn button, and follow the sound. This is especially helpful because my car is white, which is a predominant color for vehicles. — Jo M.K., in Houston

LOOKING FOR A SIGN

Dear Heloise: It’s impossible to get lost in an airport. Everywhere you go, there’s signage. Even if you’ve never been to a particular airport before, you won’t get lost as long as you can read. Why don’t hospitals follow this example?! Hospitals are mazes, and finding your way through most of them is a logistics nightmare. Hospitals, get a clue! — Meg D., in St. Louis

PACK SHOES EASILY

Dear Heloise: One of the easiest hacks for packing shoes when traveling is to stuff your shoes with socks and cover each shoe with a disposable shower cap. The shower caps don’t take up extra space, and they can last for many trips if they’re being handled carefully. They can also be doubled up with a cap over the bottom of the shoe and another one covering the top of the shoe if needed.

You can mark the inside or outside so that you don’t accidentally put the dirty side with your luggage. Being able to separate my shoes and tuck them into separate nooks and crannies is helpful. Packs of a dozen or more shower caps can be purchased inexpensively online, and as you travel, you can pick up the occasional replacement cap from a hotel’s vanity set.