Travel light, travel right

The latest issue of Shop Smart :) magazine from Consumer Reports recommends a few Web sites to help you pare down your suitcase.

Onebag.com says the three elements to light travel is knowing what to pack, what to pack it in and how to pack it.

Travellite.org suggests products that will lighten your load. To reduce your clothing needs, the site says plan your outfits ahead and color coordinate using neutrals as a base.

RickSteves.com covers everything from travel news to packing light and getting the best Eurail pass deal. For a multi-week trip, leave behind anything you are not going to wear at least three times.

The travel store Magellans.com sells travel gear and has numerous travel articles. Below they lay out second bag fees at major airlines.

Continental, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, and United charge $25. AirTran charges $10 and British Airways charges £20+.

Packing light takes longer than packing heavy, but with many airlines charging $15+ for a checked bag, fitting everything into a carry on will save you money. Not to mention that tossing a small bag over your shoulder is a lot easier than schlepping around multiple over-sized suitcases.