Sally French

So you can set airfare price alerts on sites like Google Flights, Hopper, sometimes even directly on booking platforms. This is really the easiest way to make sure you're not overpaying.

Exactly right. A lot of people are like, wait, what? A price alert after you've booked? But this is a strategy I use. Now, of course, it only works if you've booked a refundable airfare, which generally does cost more upfront. But even there are certain airfares that aren't necessarily fully refundable, but they have some degree of flexibility. So take Southwest, for example.

Exactly right. A lot of people are like, wait, what? A price alert after you've booked? But this is a strategy I use. Now, of course, it only works if you've booked a refundable airfare, which generally does cost more upfront. But even there are certain airfares that aren't necessarily fully refundable, but they have some degree of flexibility. So take Southwest, for example.

Exactly right. A lot of people are like, wait, what? A price alert after you've booked? But this is a strategy I use. Now, of course, it only works if you've booked a refundable airfare, which generally does cost more upfront. But even there are certain airfares that aren't necessarily fully refundable, but they have some degree of flexibility. So take Southwest, for example.

This is an airline I fly with often. With Southwest, their cheapest fare class is technically non-refundable, but you can actually just change your existing flight to the same exact flight if the price drops. Southwest then gives you the difference in what's called transferable flight credits. These are basically just dollars. They don't expire, but you can only use them on Southwest.

This is an airline I fly with often. With Southwest, their cheapest fare class is technically non-refundable, but you can actually just change your existing flight to the same exact flight if the price drops. Southwest then gives you the difference in what's called transferable flight credits. These are basically just dollars. They don't expire, but you can only use them on Southwest.

This is an airline I fly with often. With Southwest, their cheapest fare class is technically non-refundable, but you can actually just change your existing flight to the same exact flight if the price drops. Southwest then gives you the difference in what's called transferable flight credits. These are basically just dollars. They don't expire, but you can only use them on Southwest.

You are sort of on the hook for always flying Southwest in that next future flight or some sort of future flight so you can use those funds. But I always say, as long as this is a fare you're comfortable with paying, don't wait for fares to drop to book.

You are sort of on the hook for always flying Southwest in that next future flight or some sort of future flight so you can use those funds. But I always say, as long as this is a fare you're comfortable with paying, don't wait for fares to drop to book.

You are sort of on the hook for always flying Southwest in that next future flight or some sort of future flight so you can use those funds. But I always say, as long as this is a fare you're comfortable with paying, don't wait for fares to drop to book.

Otherwise, the alternative is you pretend, wait for these fares to drop, but instead they might end up increasing or they might end up selling out.

Otherwise, the alternative is you pretend, wait for these fares to drop, but instead they might end up increasing or they might end up selling out.

Otherwise, the alternative is you pretend, wait for these fares to drop, but instead they might end up increasing or they might end up selling out.

10 minutes is actually, I think, pretty generous. So while we're on the topic of saving money, let's move on to our next one. And that's overpacking. it is costing you more than you think. Yes, what do you think people overpack the most? Ooh, I think shoes.

10 minutes is actually, I think, pretty generous. So while we're on the topic of saving money, let's move on to our next one. And that's overpacking. it is costing you more than you think. Yes, what do you think people overpack the most? Ooh, I think shoes.

10 minutes is actually, I think, pretty generous. So while we're on the topic of saving money, let's move on to our next one. And that's overpacking. it is costing you more than you think. Yes, what do you think people overpack the most? Ooh, I think shoes.

I sometimes see these people bring five pairs of shoes for a three-day trip, but actually it's not even shoes that I think are the most egregious offenders. I actually think the worst things to overpack are those relatively cheap just-in-case items. I'm talking about something like an umbrella, even if there's no rain in the forecast. I always say if it rains, just buy one when you're there.

I sometimes see these people bring five pairs of shoes for a three-day trip, but actually it's not even shoes that I think are the most egregious offenders. I actually think the worst things to overpack are those relatively cheap just-in-case items. I'm talking about something like an umbrella, even if there's no rain in the forecast. I always say if it rains, just buy one when you're there.

I sometimes see these people bring five pairs of shoes for a three-day trip, but actually it's not even shoes that I think are the most egregious offenders. I actually think the worst things to overpack are those relatively cheap just-in-case items. I'm talking about something like an umbrella, even if there's no rain in the forecast. I always say if it rains, just buy one when you're there.

And it's not even the literal fees. It's like the burden of carrying those things just weighs you down. I always think what are you going to do if you have to climb up to the fifth floor of the Airbnb you booked in Europe that doesn't even have an elevator?