Packing for Vacation (a great collapsible bag)

As I said, we just got back from Germany, so you'll be reading a few traveling tips this week, and I'll stick in a picture of Germany each day -- what a beautiful place!!

At this point, when you travel internationally, you get to take 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on bag (plus a personal item) without charge. There were five of us traveling together, so not everyone used all their baggage allowances.

I found this nifty collapsible duffel bag at Wal-mart and stuffed it into an outer pocket of one of my checked bags, to have more space on the way back.

For some reason, it seems like dirty clothes take up more room than clean clothes. I unzipped and enlarged this bag, and then rolled each piece of dirty laundry and put it in this bag. That way, I had lots more room in my other bags, and all the dirty laundry was kept separate. I had room to spare, and this only cost around $10 (I can't remember the exact amount). I wish I'd taken a photo of it while expanded, but now I'm too lazy to expand it and collapse it again.

Of course, you won't want to do this if you're paying a premium for your bag, but it would make a good carry-on on the way back from a trip if you've still got an allowance. And rolling each piece of dirty laundry will take up less room wherever you put it.

Have a great week!

The beautiful village where Beccy's parents live (only 16 families)