UPTOURIST

Travel prices are always on the climb, with predictions saying prices are due to double over the next ten to twenty years. Unfortunately, most people’s incomes don’t multiply that way, so we have to work to save money.

The first place many people look when it comes to saving money is their flight costs. We can’t barter down a price from most airlines, but you can lower the cost by skipping out on checked luggage. The average cost of checked baggage is anywhere from $50 to $75 for your first bag, which can multiply exponentially depending on how many you need and if they’re oversized.

Instead of checking luggage- get smart about what you pack and save that money for an experience instead!

Wear More Layers Than You Need

This advice is as old as baggage fees. Wear more clothing than you need for the flight, and you can use the extra as separate outfits during your vacation. You don’t need to dress in more than a couple of shirts. If you take this to the extreme, you may get pulled over or stopped by the TSA. By wearing too many bulky layers, you might gain the wrong kind of attention.

Pack Lighter Weight Clothing

If you’re going on a beach vacation, ditch the jeans. Wear lighter fabric clothing, from shorts to tee-shirts. The lighter weight the fabric, the more pieces you can fit into your bag. If you’re going with someone who desperately needs those cargo-shorts, make sure they get worn through the airport instead of packed.

Minimize How Much Space Things Take Up

Space isn’t only important when looking at Chicago houses for sale. The smartest way to pack things is to make sure you take all the air out of everything. You can do this with clothing by folding shirts, pants, and other items into long rectangles and rolling them tightly into a bundle. The tighter the roll, the more items you can fit. When you’re putting things into your carry-on, make sure to compress things there as well. Less air means more space to use.

Buy Toiletries On Location

Instead of trying to pack toiletries that the TSA may take away from you, or shoving a ton of little bottles that will take up too much space: buy cheaper toiletries on location. Make sure to buy inexpensive ones when you arrive. If you spend full price on expensive shampoo, body wash, deodorant, or hair spray, you may be better off springing for the expensive checked luggage you were trying to avoid.

Pack Smart

Don’t pack what you know you won’t need. If you’re going to a beach, don’t shove a sweater into your bag. If you’re traveling somewhere cooler, don’t pack sandals you know you won’t need. Put thought into every item you put into your carry-on and double-check the bag before you pack it. If you’re careful and thoughtful about how you pack, you’ll make saving that fifty dollars worth it.