Thrifty Mommy

11 opinions for Frugal travelers pack lightly

• Maria
  Mar 10, 2008 at 1:33 pm

  That’s ridiculous. Airlines continue to cut down on what you can bring (i.e. how much luggage), yet they continue to charge more and more and more for a flippin’ ticket! My 6-7 husband can barely fit one pair of shoes and one pair of jeans in a suitcase and have it be under 50 pounds, so he always needs two. Grr…

• kellys
  Mar 10, 2008 at 2:21 pm

  You are preaching to the choir, girlfriend! I have to even consider how large of a family I realistically can have since we have to fly to go home. I think that is sooooo sad.

• Maria
  Mar 10, 2008 at 2:25 pm

  Even with the astronomical price of gasoline, we are better off driving 12 hours…and even stopping one night at a hotel…than flying these days. And don’t get me started on international travel…especially when moving there for 9 months… Ooo… you have found a hot button for me!

• jessica
  Mar 10, 2008 at 2:37 pm

  That is insane! If you can do it in 3 bags, i say good luck, and maybe it might be worth the extra $25 for a fourth bag to bring new souvenirs, etc. home with you?

• Christy
  Mar 10, 2008 at 2:40 pm

  We have started flying back and forth ever since we moved 15+ hrs away from our family. We have a family of 3 (a 2y/o and 2 adults). I have only checked a bag once. I’m able to pack everything I need in our three carry-on suitcases and our three “personal items”. If I find that I am running short on space, I can even add in a diaper bag, as that is “free luggage” on domestic flights. I’ve even been known to stuff the pockets of my coat with some things!

  I only take enough diapers and wipes for the flight (and a supply of “stranded in the airport diapers). I buy a small pack as soon as we get to our destination (with a coupon that I bring with me), but only if my mom hasn’t already gotten them for us.

  Also, I have noticed that we are at several of the same homes over and over again. I have small bottles of basic toiletries stashed at each of these houses. They barely take up any space and these folks don’t mind. That way, I can take the tiny bottles (like from last week’s walgreen’s deal) that don’t take up much space.

  Hope this helps.

• MomOnTheGo
  Mar 10, 2008 at 2:50 pm

  My daughter is 3.5 and so has slowed her growth lately. When we travel, we each carry a backpack as a carry on, I wear a belly bag and we pack a standard suitcase (or dufflebag if we’re taking the train. If my husband came with us, he could have his own suitcase. If he is coming, we drive. I’ve always bought diapers at my mom’s or used the ones from the last trip and we leave toiletries there. I borrow snow pants and sweatshirts from a nephew and we do laundry while we’re visiting. If I have to get dressed up, I will borrow my dressy clothes from my sisters or my mom. Getting through the airport or train station is challenging enough with one suitcase, 2 backpacks, a car seat and a stroller - and my daughter, of course - without the extra bags.

• Karen
  Mar 10, 2008 at 2:59 pm

  In November we went to Florida in a teeny tiny jeep. It was the most uncomfortable trip I’ve ever taken and we didn’t have room for much stuff. We took only a few pairs of clothes with us and we had to wash a few times while we were there. We also went to the store twice to pick up some things.

  I know it stinks and I’d be venting too, but there are some things that you might want to try.
  1) See if your mom will pick up a package of diapers for you to have before you get there.
  2) See if your family will let you keep a small set of toiletries at their house or I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you used their shampoo and hairdryer, etc.
  3) See if you can use the space bags that suck the air out of your clothes. Of course, you couldn’t do this with carry on luggage, but it’s worth checking into for the luggage your check in.
  4) Check the dimensions for carry on luggage. You can fit a lot into a carry on bag, although it is a pain to transport along with the kids.

  Sorry to hear the news. A lot of people will be ticked at this. We have another group going to Haiti soon and they count on the extra bag to carry stuff to the Haitian people to help them.

• Tami
  Mar 10, 2008 at 7:15 pm

  I think that is ridiculous. But because of our car situation (a 3 seat Montero with no cargo room with a family of 6) we had to pack for 6 in 1 huge suitcase and 1 small bag for a recent flying trip to the in-laws house. It took me 2 days to pack and I have decided that is easier to just stay at home or let them come here. Hope you find an easy way.

• Amanda
  Mar 11, 2008 at 4:01 pm

  I think I missed something. Aren’t you allowed to check one free bag per person? Why would you have to pack for four in three bags? If a group is allowed one total free bag, I’m in big trouble come summer vacation!

• Karen
  Mar 11, 2008 at 4:34 pm

  Amanda: I was wondering the same thing too. But then I remembered that Kelly has an infant son. So, I’m guessing Kelly is paying for her husband, herself, and her daughter, and carrying her infant son. Since she’s not paying for him, then she wouldn’t get that extra bag.

• kellys
  Mar 12, 2008 at 11:06 am

  Karen, you are correct. Little Man travels on our lap so we odn’t have to buy him a ticket until he is 2. I have always tried to carry not the kitchen sink but hte bed with us since my kids don’t sleep well at home much less when we travel. And every parent or relative of a young one knows that if the baby doesn’t sleep well, nobody sleeps well within earshot. So I usually bring his sheets, blanket, and noisemaker. I used to bring Turkey Butt’s pillow as well but she is getting better. So packing should be a little easier next time. I am still learning.

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