Lighten your load when flying

Have travel plans? If so, expect to shell out some extra bucks if you intend to check a bag. Some airline carriers are either charging for checked bags or have plans to do so. Charges are $15 for one bag, $25 for two.

So what’s an already cash-strapped traveler to do?

Learn how to carry on correctly.

Whether you’re leaving town for a weekend jaunt or a week at the in-laws, it is possible to take all you need on board, says packing guru Doug Dyment, whose Web site, onebag.com, gives tips on how to maximize your carry-on.

He should know. Recently, Dyment spent two weeks traveling in Moscow and Delhi. He did it all with the one carry-on bag.

Sound impossible?

“It’s really not even that difficult,” Dyment says. “It’s just a mind-set and learning to do it, and then learning how to do it.”

1. The bag

For most airlines, a carry-on should be no larger than 45 inches. There are some smaller exceptions. Shoot for soft, high-industrial nylon fabric bags. And it should be as rectangular as possible. Every curve that’s in your bag was made to look cool, not hold more stuff, Dyment said. So look for a bag with soft edges.

2. Know when to roll ’em

The common practice of individually folding items of clothing, then piling them in your bag, is a no-no for packing. Many opt for rolling clothes as thinly as possible and lining them up in the bag. If you’re worried about wrinkles, Dyment suggests a technique called “bundling,” which involves wrapping clothing around a pouch filled with socks and undergarments. It’s the best way not to arrive with a wrinkled mess.

3. Choose Items Wisely

Limit the amount of clothing you need to pack by choosing a uniform color scheme, Dyment says. Sticking to no more than two (compatible) colors ensures that everything matches. If you’re a fashionista, pack plenty of accessories to jazz up your limited number of outfits.

4. Shoes

Take two pair, including the ones on your feet. This could be a tough pill to swallow for some. But really, how much attention are people paying to your shoes? Wear the bulkier pair on board.

5. Toiletries … Size Matters

When it comes to carry-on, the Transportation Security Administration still restricts the size of personal-hygiene items and cosmetics you can carry on. The best solution is to opt for travel-size toothpaste, shampoo and soap. They’re easily found at most drugstores and most priced under $1.

Extra Tip: Create a packing list that specifies the amount of clothing and other items you will pack. The list isn’t so much about which slacks or blouse to carry, but a contract with yourself that says you’ll never take more than what’s on the list. To get an example of a packing list, go to Dyment’s Web site, www.onebag.com.

Tips from Travelers

“I roll all my shirts the thinnest way possible. I paid the $50 fee when I overpacked once — never again.” — Laura Barrs, 39, of Seminole, Fla.

“We put things in shoes, all the socks and private stuff go in them. And I do have everything laid out on the bed, then I pack from there.” — Peggy Langenfield, 39, a wife and mother of boys ages 7 and 9.