Budget Buster

You've done all your research. You got a great deal on plane tickets. You saved 50% on your hotel. Feeling pretty good about ourselves, aren't we? Well, don't let all our planning and penny-pinching be for nothing. Beware of the unforeseen budget buster!! BAGGAGE FEES!

Oh, the dreaded word! Those terrible fees that blow your vacation budget wide open. Most airlines charge at least $20 for your first bag each way. That adds up to at least $160 for a family of 4 if each one has her own suitcase.

We all know there is no way around baggage fees when traveling with your family for a week long vacation. I don't care how good a packer you are, no one can pack a family of 4 for a week in a couple of carry on bags.

So, how do you save money on baggage fees? Hone your packing skills and show those airline people who's boss. This is the first post in a series of all my favorite packing tips. They are a composite of all my favorite tricks that I have learned from friends, research, and experience!

Here's my #1 trick to packing for my kids: zip top bags.

Yeah, you read that right. My best trick for saving money on baggage fees is by packing my kids clothes in zip top bags. Here's what I do:

I lay out my girls clothes for each day. Shorts, top, underwear, socks for kid #1, shorts, top, underwear socks for kid #2. Put both in a gallon size zip top bag, squeeze out all the air and label the bag: Day 1. Then continue for each day of our trip. What I end up with is a bag for each day, a bag with pajamas, and a bag with swimsuits (usually I pack an extra day's clothes and/or a sundress for each girl also.)

I put the Day 1 bag and the swimsuit bag in my carry on bag, and the remaining bags get packed into the checked suitcase. The method saves so much space, I can usually pack both kids and all of my clothes in 1 suitcase with room left over.

Tip: The plastic zip bags can also be useful throughout your vacation. Pack still-damp swimsuits back in the bag to keep other clothes dry for your trip home.

Stay tuned for more helpful packing tips in the next few days!