Living on the road or taking an extended RV trip is much different than going on a weekend trip in many ways. One big difference is the need to get all of your ducks in a row back at home. Though you may be leaving your house or apartment behind, there are some things that will need to be sorted out before you leave. One topic that folks often have questions about is the mail.
What do I do with it? What is my new address? Will I ever see the important bills and letters I need?
Thankfully, there are answers to the questions. RVers have options when it comes to handling mail on the road, and most are easier than you think. These are the four most common mail solutions that RVers take advantage of while traveling.
Mail Option #1: Mail forwarding services
If you are planning to travel and be in a particular place long enough to get mail, you can always forward it there, if the destination allows. RV clubs like the Family Motor Coach Association and Good Sam offer a mail-forwarding service to their members. You’ll need to change your address on the mail you want forwarded to the service, and from there you can tell the service where to send it you.
On the Good Sam website, you can see what mail you’ve received and you even have the ability to have them trash the junk mail. There’s even the option to use FedEx to receive your mail quickly.
Mail Option #2: Let it pile up at the post office
Going away for less than a month? You can tell the postal service to hold it until you get back. There’s a handy form online that you can fill out and get things set up. Check out the USPS website for more information.
Mail Option #3: Have a friend or family member pick it up
Many travelers use this option. If you are staying in touch with someone and they don’t mind picking up your mail, this is a pretty good way to go. Still receive paper checks? You can even have that friend or family member deposit it into your bank account. Have them recycle junk mail and send you pictures of anything that looks important.
If you don’t have any friends or family that live close to your home, you can also opt to forward your mail to them. They’ll receive your mail at their home address, saving them the trip.
Just remember to send them a souvenir from time to time!
Mail Option #4: Go digital
For most, going digital is the best option. Most accounts (bank, utilities, etc.) have paperless options that allow you to take care of all of your business online. By receiving important bills electronically, you’ll ensure something doesn’t get lost or slip through the cracks. You also won’t have to worry about burdening a friend or family with looking after it. Of course, this may not be a wise choice if you’re going off-grid, but it’s great to use this eco-friendly option when it is available!
This won’t stop the junk mail and any other subscriptions from piling up, so if you get a lot of those you can combine your digital efforts with a postal hold.
Conclusion
Don’t let mail hold you back from going on a lengthy getaway. With a little planning ahead of time, you can go wherever you want for however long without worrying about what you’re missing in your mailbox.
