Considering some of the big bucks you need to spend to roam from home these days, knocking off just a dollar or two may seem trivial. However, if you pile up enough, your savings could be significant. For instance:

If on a cruise or in a hotel, don’t use the room phone to call outside. Charges can really add up. Use your smartphone.

Check prices before you use hotel or ship’s computer room. It could set you back as much as $50 an hour, plus fees for printing and other add-ons.

Before you take your best friend on flights, to a beach, resort, casino, hotel or restaurant, be sure the welcome mat is out. Laws in some areas forbid dogs to share human accommodations.

When you decide to have canine companionship on your journey to one or more of the accepted destinations, be sure you have proof of required vet vaccinations. Of course, your best friend must be well-behaved in busy, loud gatherings, especially where families gather. One source of current info is dogtrekker.com

Guest Writer AAMcN, Kansas City MO: All you need to know about airport security is one simple fact. No matter where you are and what you're doing in terminals, you can assume at least one camera and pair of eyes are watching you.

It can be reassuring, but at times, a bit disturbing. For instance, on a recent check in for a flight, we stopped just inside the Las Vegas airport doors to be sure we had the right documents to get through security screening.

There was a stack of unattended suitcases just a few feet from us. Suddenly, two airport cops and a huge German Shepherd dog came rushing toward us. They ran past to swoop up the unattended bags, and disappeared up the nearby escalator.

As traveling seniors, in the minds of some sleazy operators, we wear big virtual signs: EASY OLD MARK! Consider some ways to prevent this.

1. Avoid overly friendly ads and phone sales people who try to sell you attractive travel deals. The old rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it ain’t true. When offered packages of air, hotel and all-inclusive prices, check how each item adds up. You may discover that paying separately is actually cheaper.

Bargain deals are usually advertised with just the base price, such as flights for $99.99, three-day hotel stays for $199.99 or a four-night tropical cruise for $299.99. Those come-ons don’t reveal they may cost another whopping 20 to 50 percent added on for local taxes, fuel fees, mandatory tips, in-room phone charges and other hidden charges.