With so many airline companies charging you when it comes to carry on luggage and that, it’s important that you either bring carry on luggage to avoid the fees or you may want to watch the whether on your bags because the airline companies will charge for excess weight.  Now, the question is “How do I make my bag lighter?”

Remember, you’re not living on your vacation

So many people in particular think they are living when it comes to vacation.  You don’t need to pack 50 weeks worth of clothes for a 1 week vacation.  Instead, know what you want and pack only what you need.  For example, if you’re only going to be gone for 7 days, pack 8 days worth of outfits.  It’s always best to pack an extra outfit just in case.

Make a list of what you need

If it’s too hard to figure out what you want, make a list.  Write down everything you need.  I would start with the basics such as your daily outfit, your pajamas, etc.  You’re going to need socks, underwear, pants, shirts, etc.  You’ll want to almost plan each day out in your head.  Doing this alone will give you a better idea on what you should pack so that you don’t over pack your bag.

Minimize your belongings

When it comes down to bathroom stuff, this can take up a lot of space.  If you find that a lot of it can’t fit, you may want to look into buying travel sized goods once you land.  All of your bathroom stuff is generally included in a hotel, if you’re staying in one.  If not, $10-$15 can buy you a good supply of bathroom supplies.

In the end, you’ll find that making a list, bringing what you need and potentially buying things once you land can knock off a lot of weight.  Since most weight restrictions are generally high, you usually don’t have to worry about your bag weighing too much but just to play it safe, I would follow some of these tips.

NOTE:  If you want to bring your luggage onto the plane, I would recommend you check out our top 10 carry on luggage list to help you pick out what you need.