Travel accessories designed to lessen your baggage load are a natural outgrowth of what's happening in the airline industry. Baggage fees are trending ever upward, and there are more of them every month. Airlines have discovered a gold mine of revenue, and travelers often feel helpless as they try to avoid the charges. But one light bag on any trip should be every budget traveler's goal. To avoid fees for over sized or overweight baggage, consider putting some of the following products to work with your packing strategies.

Eagle Creek Compressor Set

Large suitcases often fail the airlines' dimension tests and incur added fees. What if you could fit more into a smaller piece of luggage? With Eagle Creek's Pack-It(R) Compressor Set, you place bulky items inside plastic bags and roll them into a smaller finished product -- the claim is up to 80 percent smaller. It works well for dirty clothes on the return trip. Cost: $22 USD.More »

Travelon Universal Dual USB Charger with Adapter Set

Charge your iPad® or tablet and iPhone® at the same time with this Dual USB Charge and Adapter Plug Set. It's 3.1 Amp and dual voltage. The kit includes adapter plugs for U.S., U.K., European and Australian plugs. Cost: About $35.More »

Pack-It® Folders

Just fold your clothing using the special folding board, slip the neat stack inside the mesh Pack-It, close snugly and stash in your suitcase. Pack-It holds your largest items, such as suits, sport coats, and sweaters without a separate bag. (20 x 14"; 20 oz.) Cost is about $30 USD.More »

Travelon Microscale

Come in under the airline weight limit. Never be charged for overage again. Compact device accurately weighs and measures your luggage prior to baggage check. Cost: about $20More »

Balanzza Easy Grip Luggage Scale

Here's another hand scale with a bigger price tag and additional features. This one measures up to 100 lbs. and projects readings on a large digital display. It also weighs just 8 oz. and operates on a pair of AAA batteries. Cost: about $25 USD.More »

Magellan's Spill Proof Pouches

One of the drawbacks to tight packing is the risk of liquids becoming squeezed out of containers and into your suitcase. Some people use zip-lock plastic bags, but those are not always durable enough for a long trip. This pair of spill proof pouches includes a smaller bag for a purse and a larger bag to stash in luggage. If there is a spill, the nylon mesh with vinyl lining wipes clean easily and quickly. Available in four colors. Cost $16.85 USD.More »

Ricardo Deluxe Garment Bag

Padded tie-down straps keep clothing in place to discourage wrinkling. Zippered front pocket allows for additional storage capacity, and the bag weighs in at less than 2 lbs. (dimensions are 45" x 23" x 1"). Cost: about $40More »