We can’t guarantee tender loving luggage handlers, short bathroom lines or in-flight movies NOT called The Pink Panther 2, but we have a few ideas on ways to avoid unwelcome fee surprises at the ticket counter. First, Smarter Travel has put together this handy guide to airline fees to keep your in-flight costs from soaring.

We say pack less and cram all you can into fewer luggage pieces that you have to check. Better yet, go carry-on only and ship boxes to your destination ahead of time. Snacks? Go all movie theater on the airlines. No one REALLY wants to spend $6 for a bag of lousy popcorn. And no one really wants to pay $?? for a tiny bag of airplane nuts. That’s nuts. We’re not condoning “smuggling” but a well-stashed bag of licorice or cheese thingies in your carry-on will taste pretty good come about 2 hours in flight. Oh, and eat a big meal before you fly. Sometimes the obvious stuff isn’t so much.

Let’s hear from you, travel-savvy Savers. How are you saving dollars when hitting the airways?

The idea of saving money sounds about as exciting to me as window shopping or paying taxes. While I recognize how meaningless stuff is, I still love new stuff. I fantasize about the kind of rug I want to buy for my bare, unfinished dining room. Modern or Oriental? Wool or chenille?  I divide my mental wish-list into what I can buy now, and what I’ll buy when I have more money one day. You can call it a sickness. I call it being raised by capitalists.

Fortunately for me, I write about money on my website, DailyWorth.com. Unfortunately for me, I have to walk my talk.  

Hot Water
I recently posted a column on DailyWorth about spending hiatuses. In case you haven’t heard, freezing all unnecessary spending for a predetermined period of time is the hottest thing since knitted Uggs. Bloggers everywhere seem to be upping the ante, extending their hiatuses and bragging about how little deprivation they’re feeling. 

I know I overspend. I also know that I use shopping as a way to cure boredom or soothe feelings of inadequacy. So last week I threw my hat into the ring. For one week, I declared so effortlessly and publicly, I’d only buy food and pay bills. Nothing else. 

How It Went
Overall, I’d say my week-long spending hiatus wasn’t a huge success. It was, however, a small step in the right direction of spending less and saving more. I liken the experience to my one week on Atkins or the three years I spent on Weight Watchers. You can do anything for a week, but will the habits stick? The jury’s still out. 

Even so, I did save $380.00 during my week of reduced spending. 

My old down comforter had two huge tears. Rather than buying a new one, I broke out the needle and thread – and saved $200! I cooked dinner (instead of opting for take-out) on Friday night and Saturday night. $60.00 saved!! The real “Aha!” moment happened on Day Two, when I realized I could tally each dollar saved and, at the end of the week, transfer the cash into a designated savings account for home improvement projects, like fixing our two fireplaces. I really want working fireplaces. Saving money alone does not motivate me. Saving money with a prize in mind definitely does. Lesson learned: There’s got to be an upside.

Will I join the masses of bloggers extending their spending sabbaticals from weeks to months to years? Probably not. But I’m inspired. And soon, I’ll be sitting by a fire.

Amanda Steinberg is the founder of DailyWorth.com — a free, daily email about personal finance for women.

Last in a series on protecting yourself online. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Phew, you’ve done it. You’re online and confident you’re protected against all the Cyber bad guys out there, ID theft, smart security practices, and protecting your PC (viruses included). Congrats, you’ve built your own personal security zone. So now what? Here are some other proactive steps you can take to get your personal information off the public radar.

Use online banking to eliminate sensitive account information circulating in the mail. Thoroughly shred mail – especially credit card bills, statements, and offers for preapproved credit – before you throw it away. Cross-cut shredding is more effective than strip shredding. Choose organizations with an “opt-out” privacy policy.

We know online security can seem like a hassle, and sometimes a lot of work. That is, at first. Once you’ve synced your habits with your machine’s security, your Internet browser updates and all the application ‘patches’ - that’s the tough stuff. We can’t protect you against carpal tunnel, but when you’re surfing the medical site for your symptoms, you can rest easy knowing that your info is safe.

There are signs that the recession is slowing, at least in the stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up nearly 40% since mid-March 2009. So what do you do? Invest more? Or did you miss the boat already? There’s no better time than the present to get back in the driver’s seat and steer your investments toward personal financial success. Start by replacing these 4 common investment do’s & don’ts with simple steps that will help you be a successful investor in good and bad economic times.

Don’t: Blindly follow published investment advice.
Do: Your own homework.
Ask yourself whether you’re better off relying on someone who claims to beat the market in the short term or doing your own investment homework.

Don’t: Put all your eggs in one basket.
Do: Diversify.
Don’t believe that you need to have a small fortune to have a diversified portfolio. Putting even small amounts of money in broad index funds that have low fees and no minimum investment requirements will do it.

Don’t: Ignore investment costs.
Do: Find affordable funds.
Keep more of your returns by finding low-cost investments. Read the fine print of the indexes you’re investing in and compare it to similar investment options.

Don’t: Expect high returns in a short period.
Do: Stick to a sound strategy.
Assume as much risk as you can comfortably tolerate, but no more. Taking on too much risk may make you prone to overreacting to the ups and downs of the market. Make a plan and stick to it.

A spin of a wheel, a lucky guess or a drawing from a hat can make a person the proud owner of something they never dreamed of being able to afford. But FRUGILLIONAIRE explains that even with the purchase price covered, these gifts can still cost the recipient some major cash. The cost to run and maintain a new boat, car, or even the cost to install new kitchen appliances can make some prizes a little less desirable.  And any added prestige or pleasure a new McMansion or a lottery hit can give you is probably going to get outweighed by not-so-lucky things like higher taxes, maintenance expenses and general headaches.

Moral of the story, scoring some free loot may mean fees to boot.  

We admit that it’d be pretty sweet to win gas or groceries for a year or maybe a contest that pays your bills for a few months. But most “free” things in life probably aren’t. So what’s the bestest thing you’ve ever “won,” only to find out that it’s still costing you today?

Online security isn’t just about the online user. It’s also about the desktop, laptop or handheld that they’re using. There’s plenty you can do to ensure your hardware stays safe from malware and other risks.

First things first, set yourself up with an additional user profile for everyday web surfing. This way your access is limited – and so is a potential hacker’s. The administrator profile should only be utilized when servicing your machine. Another thought, give the kids individual accounts on your PC. It’ll make them feel super important and minimize the havoc they can wreak…curious minds. Don’t be afraid to tell anyone else who uses your computer about safe practices. Speak up or they could be clicking on pop-ups (maybe surfing unsavory sites) and all your evasive tactics will have been done in vain.

Have you paid good money and installed anti-virus and anti-spyware/adware software? Set them to auto-update. You’ll be getting your money’s worth and they will help protect against online banking fraud and ID theft . Make sure you keep online applications up to date, too. Programs commonly used when surfing the Internet can be harnessed by fraudsters to compromise your information. Most vendors will periodically issue ‘patches’, or self fixes, to combat recent loopholes in their coding. Go one step further. Register your software with the vendor; you’re ensuring you receive up-to-the-minute notification of any new patches. Once you’ve done that, go to The Security Zone at ING DIRECT and get Rapport from Trusteer – it works on top of anti-virus software to protect you from even more online threats.

Are you a PC security guru? Share your expertise with friends and family. If everyone secured their PCs properly, there’d be less opportunity for online information breaches. And cyberspace would be a safer place.

Up Next: Online Security: Now what?

Of course, when it comes to a big ticket item—like a new fridge or computer—you’re going to have some nagging doubts. So how do you squash those “what-if” fears? The Consumerist says you and a savings account are the best cure against any gizmo malfunctions. Instead of forking over extra bills for a warranty that isn’t ABSOLUTELY necessary, park those funds in a savings account and rename that account “Oops, it broke.” Think you’ve got a better nickname for a savings account?  We’d love to hear it.  And tell us your thoughts on extended warranties and those nagging “what if” scenarios.   

On October 1, the Federal Reserve implemented game-changing legislation that puts the “Truth” back in the Truth in Lending Act.

For those who didn’t attend Lending 101, this little piece of Federal law is in place to protect consumers from higher-priced mortgages. What’s more, it tells lenders what they have to disclose to borrowers. Among other things, they now have to give you a heads-up about loan payment information in their advertising – way before you sign on the dotted line for a loan.

For certain loans, there are limits on prepayment penalties and a requirement to escrow for taxes and insurance. All good for us as consumers. But the changes don’t stop there. The new playing field also puts the onus on prospective borrowers stepping up to the plate. You’ll have to start getting used to more intense scrutiny from lenders about your ability to repay the loan with income and assets, etc. So your own financial house had better be in order, too.

What else does the Truth in Lending Act mean? In advertising, lenders have to provide specific payment examples. For example, if you’re looking at a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage, they’d have to provide what the payment for years 1-5 would be based on a sample loan amount and advertised rate. Then, they’d have to provide what the “projected” monthly payment would be for years 6-30 based on the “projected” interest rate using the current index plus margin. And to take the transparency to the see-through level, all this needs to be near the advertised rates, or “one click away.” No lender can hide this information from potential borrowers. Translation: you’ll have more information at your disposal to figure out if a loan is right for you before the bank makes the decision for you.

Surprised? Millions of Americans are unwittingly generating hundreds of billions of dollars in fee-based cash for banks this year. Maybe it’s a few bucks from using an “out-of-network” ATM. Or worse, it’s a nasty $35 zing for the “courtesy” of letting you overdraft your account by a few dollars last week. Either way, those pesky fees are wrecking your checking. Legal? Yes. Avoidable? Absolutely.

It seems that banks have conjured up all kinds of meaningless and shady checking account service fees. And they’re on the rise big time. But with a little research, common sense and diligence, you can shield yourself from getting dinged, zinged and otherwise cha-chinged each time you want to access your money:

ATM Fees: Need cash to pay those antiquated vendors who still don’t accept debit cards? Is your bank’s ATM network surcharge free? Plan how much you’ll need for the week and make one ATM stop to cover those expenses. More importantly, be sure to scope out or at least find “in network” locations on a map when you need cash. And beware of getting double teamed by fees—like when, say, you pay $2 to pull money from the ATM in your local minimart, and your bank charges you an additional $2 or $3 for using a machine that’s not part of their network. If you can’t find an “in network” ATM nearby, try hitting the cash machine less often and grab what you need for the week. Consider using your debit card to get cash back when you shop at the grocery or drug store.

Overdraft Fees: This year, Americans will pay more than $38.5 billion (yes, that’s a “b” like baloney) in overdraft fees alone. FAIL! Most banks automatically enroll you in overdraft protection. You should be the one to decide whether or not you want that kind of protection. Most of the time, you don’t. Tell your bank you’d like to “opt out” of the overdraft protection. If you really need a buffer, consider an account that offers a line of credit with a low interest rate.

Bank Transfer Fees: Also called ACH Fees, these are charges to move your money – electronically, mind you – from one bank to another bank. Excuse us, but don’t you already pay an “electric” bill? This type of transfer costs your bank nothing and should cost you the same. Find out if your bank charges for electronic transactions. If so, call them out on it and whenever possible, initiate transfers from banks that don’t charge.

Annual, Account Maintenance and Minimum Balance Fees: Ding, ding and ding – for no good reason and regardless of your balance.

We say enough’s enough. Be mindful, read the fine print and challenge your bank on their fee policies. If you don’t like what you hear, find a bank that offers high value and convenience – without the bogus fees. Banks should be more transparent and accountable, yes. And it’s your responsibility to be more in the know.

Guess what this week is? No, not National School Lunch Week – that was last week. It’s National Save for Retirement Week, Congress’ newly established effort dedicated to making you more aware, confident and active in planning for your financial future.

To mark this important week, We, The Savers is providing you with tips to get you on the right track for your retirement.

And note we said YOUR retirement. These days, it’s not always about rocking chairs and country club memberships. Retirement is your journey, your future and – hopefully - a nice chunk of your life. So let us help you get to where you want to go and join the dialogue on retirement planning.

Tip #1 – Figure out how much you should be saving.

Not an easy question for sure, but one you need to think about – especially since everyone’s idea of retirement is a little different. Do you want to live on a faraway island? RV around the country? All of the above? Or maybe take on a more modest retirement. Only with a goal in mind can you know how much to save for your days of leisure.

Then, check out Retire MyWay. In 5 minutes or so, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how much you should be saving each month, based in part on what you’re saving already and how conservative or aggressive you might be with your investments.

But you’re the one who knows where you want to be come retirement day. Tell us all about your goals. And how you plan to seize the day.

Tip # 2 – Get the most out of your employer’s retirement plan.

Are you contributing to your retirement plan at work? If you can, you should be. By participating in your employer’s retirement plan, you’re putting pre-tax dollars away before they ever hit your bank account. It’s one of the easiest ways to save for retirement. And as a bonus, most employers match at least some of your contributions. That’s free money! Not sure if you have this option at work? Ask human resources or your boss. If you do, make sure at the very least that you are taking full advantage of the match.

So, tell us. Do you have a retirement plan at work and if so, how much are you contributing and how much is the job matching? If you don’t have a retirement plan at work, you’re not sunk yet.

Tip # 3 – Find the IRA that’s right for you.

That’s I-R-A, as in “I wanna Retire Already.” Or “Individual Retirement Account” as it’s more commonly known. Either way, IRAs should be at the center of your retirement plan. They’re a great gift from Uncle Sam – an account where your savings can grow tax-deferred or tax-free.

There are two main types of IRAs: Traditional and Roth. The two differ primarily by when contributions are taxed. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax deductible, grow tax free and are not taxed until you withdraw the money in retirement. Roth IRA contributions are taxed before they go into an IRA, but then can be withdrawn tax-free when you retire. What’s the catch? Roth IRAs have income limits – so not everyone will qualify.

Still want more details? Compare the two and find out which one works better for you. Already know a thing or two about IRAs? Tell us which type is working best for you and whether or not it’s putting you on the inside track to reaching your retirement goals.

Tip #4 – 3 words: allocation, allocation, allocation.

OK, so you know how much to save, and you know what accounts to put it in. The next thing to think about? Asset allocation.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry. We just want to make sure you put your retirement assets into the right types of investments and savings vehicles, given your personal situation. If retirement is a long way off and you can stomach the ups and downs of the market, then you might be better suited with a larger percentage in equities. If you’re getting closer to retirement and want to avoid market swings, then bond funds or CDs might make more sense. Totally lost? Check out our Retire MyWay, an easy planning tool that will help you with asset allocation.

In the end, it’s a personal choice, but an important one. In fact, it can be just as important as putting money away in the first place. So don’t procrastinate, allocate! And as always, we want to hear from you about all things investments, asset allocations and the like. Are they playing a big role in getting you ready for the big “R” day?

Tip #5 – Remember to check in.

National Save for Retirement Week is coming to an end (awwwww). Fret not. Hopefully, you now feel a little more aware and in control of your retirement planning. Before we let you go, we have one last topic to cover. We call it “checking in.”

What, you thought you were done? Well, for now you are. But as a rule of thumb, it’s good to revisit your retirement situation about once a year - often enough to get back on course if your circumstances change, but not so frequently that you’re reacting to the economic crisis du jour.

Sound like a pain? One way to make “checking in” easier is to consolidate your financial life. Get your money out of those 401(k)’s from 3 jobs ago and roll them into your IRA. With all of your assets in one place, it’s easier to see where you stand, how you’re invested and if it’s time to make some adjustments.

So with that, let us wish you a happy, healthy and wealthy National Save for Retirement Week. Same goes for your actual retirement. Get planning! And keep us informed on how it’s going.