A friend of mine buys cheap luggage and replaces it every year or so. He probably pays less than $75 per piece. That's not a bad deal for frequent travelers, but here's a deal that is cheaper in the long run and won't add as much to the landfill:

Buy a piece of Tumi luggage discounted 70 percent at today's sale (April 6) at Opitz Outlet in St. Louis Park. It's top-quality luggage at an unbelievable price. Even when Tumi goes on sale (very rarely), you're lucky to save 20 percent.

The sale starts at noon and runs until 9 p.m. tonight. I don't expect much will be left after today, even though about 300 pieces are included in this sale.

The selection is all first quality from distributors ---no blemishes or defectives. About half of the selection is the less expensive T-Tech bridge line and the other half is the pricey top quality stuff. There is a variety of colors (black, red, orange, brown, green), materials (ballistic and regular nylon, leather and hard-sided) and sizes (duffles, messenger bags, garment carriers, 20-22-inch carryons with wheels and larger 25 or 26-inch expandables).

Here is a sampling of what's included.

-Co-efficient messenger bags $45, regularly $150

- Factor duffel bags $82.50, regularly $275

-Wheeled expandable carry-on (20 or 22-inch) in dark brown $178.50, regularly $595

- Wheeled expandable (25-inches) in light brown $178.50, regularly $595

- Wheeled expandable (26-inches) in red $255, regularly $850

-Wheeled expandable (28-inches) in dark brown $285, regularly $950

- T-Tech backpacks $75

-Leather backpacks $133.50, regularly $445, leather satchel $178.50, leather waistpacks $67.50 and leather wallets $26.40.

Caveat: Unless you're a Rewards or platimum customer at Opitz, you have to spend a matching amount in non-Tumi items. For example, if you spend $200 on Tumi merchandise, you will also have to purchase $200 in other merchandise or gift cards.