How to receive mail when traveling

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I wanted to know how you guys forward or receive mail when you are traveling. I have heard different things to do. Any other suggestions?

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The easiest thing I have found is to go to a mailbox or ups store and get a po box. (not u.s. post office). Then I either set up a routine schedule for them to send me my mail, or I call in and each time and request it to be sent. Some places also offer a service of opening and scanning your mail-then email it to you. You can search that option out on the Internet. I think it runs about 8.00 a month or so for them to scan and email.

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I use my sister's house as my "permanent address" as she is stable and not going anywhere! With that said, I do pay her "rent" each month for tax purposes and in return, she handles my mail. She can tell what is junk and what is not. I pre-purchase flat rate stamps (about 4.95 each) from the post office so she keeps a stock of them. The flat rate envelopes from the post office are free and can sent to her from the post office. She forwards my mail in these envelopes either weekly or bi-weekly. There is a limit though - if the envelope is under 1 pound (I think this is right...need to check on this) then it can be placed in her mailbox for pick up by the post man. Otherwise, she has to take it to the post office. To avoid this, I bought her a cheap postal scale so she can be sure that she keeps within the limit to put in her mailbox (the post office is not convenient where she lives).

I have been doing this for years and it works great. I trust her to go through my mail if necessary and her judgement on junk mail. Also - I have to pay rent somewhere regardless so it just works.

Maybe you have a family member that is willing to do it for you?

Just thought I would share my process...I am sure others have great ways they handle it too.

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My mail goes to my dad and he puts stickers over our old address that says our new address. He doesn't pay additional, it just forwards to us. However, it can't be done with like magazines and junk mail so he holds all that non important stuff until we see him.

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I wanted to know how you guys forward or receive mail when you are traveling. I have heard different things to do. Any other suggestions?

The best is not to receive mail at all! What do you get that is so important to get right now? Virtually everything can be handled online these days. Direct deposit, and bills. You don't even have to be hands on. All my bills, including utilities and even property taxes, are paid either via direct debit or credit card automatically. The same is true of my credit card bills. I don't have to worry about anything while I'm traveling. Medical bills are the exception, but I only visit a doc a couple times a year. My insurance company posts my share on my online account and I simply call the provider and pay by credit card. I get long term auto and driver's license registration, 2 and 4 years respectively.

And of course my personal correspondence is handled by email, messaging, and phone calls. Anything else? I have a relative go check my mail every few months.

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I wanted to know how you guys forward or receive mail when you are traveling. I have heard different things to do. Any other suggestions?

I use a mail forwarding service. Mailboxforwarding.com. What I'm not able to set up online done online I have sent to that address. They collect the mail and you can have them scan it and view it online, ship it, or shred it. They send an email notification when you have new mail and you can view the envelope to decide what you want done with it. This, for me, was a big advantage over a P.O. Box.

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I would get a box at a UPS store and receive mail there. Then when you travel, give them your forwarding address and make arrangements to have them forward it to you. But be aware that they will charge you a fee for each forwarding and they will also charge you for the envelopes and postage separately.

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I have tried a few different services but the cheapest and most reliable way to forward mail anywhere is with these guys http://www.beinus.com/traveling-nurse-mail.php

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