Whiter teeth?

So yesterday I went to Target. I scored the cutest Madras plaid kiddy pool for the kids, and I can see myself sitting in it this summer possibly too lol. I also bought Crest White strips. I have never used them before, and I decieded to see if they really work. I am supposed to put them on twice a day 30 minutes a pop, and let me tell you its the weirdest thing ever. I put them on this morning while I commuted to work, cause that was one of the boxes suggestions. I felt like a fool driving with them on my teeth with my mouth partially open. I guess I don't have to have my mouth open a little but it feels even weirder with my mouth shut. When I took them out it left a gel on my teeth, and I didn't want to swallow the gel residue, so I spent 5 min or so spitting in the parking lot before going into work. Hopefully noone saw me lol. I also had the taste of peroxide in my mouth which made me want to gag. So I am going to try to use these all up, and hopefully they will get easier to use, and I wont be such a fool spitting every where. Has anyone tried them before and have any luck with them? I know the best way to go is to have them done by your dentist, but I am not willing to dish out the money, and I have heard some people who have had it done say it made their teeth very sensitive, so I guess in 13 more days I will know for myself if I just totally wasted my money or not!