If your upcoming summer getaway includes air travel, start putting a little extra aside: United Airlines and US Airways have announced that, starting May 5th, they're going to begin charging travelers a fee for checking a second suitcase aboard their flight -- at $50 bucks a bag per roundtrip. The other carriers are sure to follow suit. If you don't want to get stuck with that outrageousness, try my Catch & Release plan: when you get to your destination, seek out local thrift stores and secondhand shops. Then buy yourself some spiffy hand-me-downs (usually cheaper than the suitcase fee.) When it's time to head home, keep any real treasures you found (wouldn't want to give up that prized I Got Smashed At Snuffy's Tavern t-shirt) and re-donate the rest.
On the other hand, you could pack a small suitcase and put it inside a bigger suitcase. Then put the clothes you buy on the road into the second bag and only pay $25 for the additional luggage on the trip home.
Or you can just pack light in the first place...
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