A small to mid-sized collapsible cooler is practically a necessity for the car. They fold up, using minimal space, but are such a life-saver.

For instance, I live 20 miles from town. This means, in the summer, I'm unable to make any stop after the grocery store (or hit a second store with sale items) if I've got refrigerated items in the car. However, with my "pop-up" cooler, problems are solved. I throw my goodies inside and am good for another stop.

Aside from groceries, the cooler can be used for the "normal" purpose of keeping water bottles cool for inexpensive snacks while out and about as well as the not-so-normal purpose of containing wet clothing or even, dare I say, vomited on items. How handy is that? Smell and mess all contained. Well...at least until you get home!

Oh yeah, you also have to remember to put the cooler BACK in the car once you've brought it in the house. I'm still workging on that one.

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips she Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer!