Everyday Cheapskate

My favorite suitcase weighs in at about 15 pounds, empty. No wonder I routinely take that sucker past the 50-pound limit imposed by most airlines for checked luggage. As if needing a forklift to hoist it onto the checkout counter weren't bad enough, most airlines these days charge fees to check it.

This pricey development has forced me to change my idea of convenient travel. In the process, I've figured out how to scale back to pack less stuff, smaller stuff and even a smaller bag to carry on my stuff, thus avoiding that checked-bag fee altogether.

—Start with a list. Before you even pull your luggage out of the closet, make a list of what you plan to bring. Calculate the number of days you will be gone. Then match your needs accordingly, erring on the side of going light rather than packing for every possible eventuality.

—Choose a main color. Don't pack the entire rainbow. Choose one central color. Then make sure each item you put in your bag coordinates with your chosen color. This will allow you to create several outfits using the same items by simply mixing and matching. A few accent pieces and accessories that go with your color palette will give you a finished look.

—Go easy on shoes. They're heavy and bulky. Too many pairs will spoil your best-laid plans to travel light. If at all possible, select one pair for the entire trip. Because you'll be wearing them, that means no shoes in your bag. If you cannot pull this off, wear the heaviest pair, and pack the spares by cramming them into old socks to protect both the shoes and the items they will touch.

—Outside the bag.

Don't start with the suitcase. Instead, lay everything you plan to take on a flat surface. That way, you easily can see how your choices will go together, and you can decide whether you've missed anything or whether you need to make last-minute changes. If you pack directly into the suitcase, you will be tempted to keep adding more until it is overstuffed.

—Toiletries. Forget the full-size containers of shampoo, toothpaste and lotions. They will present problems going through security now that the Transportation Security Administration has instituted the 3-ounce rule for certain liquids and gels. Pick up small, travel-sized versions of your favorite products at stores like Target and Wal-Mart, or create your own with small containers, such as prescription bottles. Just to be safe, drape a small piece of plastic wrap over each container before applying the lid.

—Hand wash. You'll need less clothing if you do a little laundry along the way. Your best bet for hand-washing detergent is your shampoo. A small container of spot treatment will give you additional confidence.

—Roll it. It sounds wacky until you try it, but once you do, you'll think it's genius. If you roll all of your neatly folded items before packing them, you will be amazed at how wrinkle-free they come out.

Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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