WHAT ABOUT OUR MAIL?

In getting ready for our upcoming trip the question came up of "what do we do about our mail for three months?" 

We checked with USPS "holding" our mail and that would be fine if it were only for 30 days, but after that they start sending again, they don't take packages from other delivery services such as FedEx and, any mail that doesn't fit in our box gets returned. Their only other option was to set up a Short Term Mail Forwarding Service but you need an address to forward to! (we have no idea where we'll be). I'd even thought about doing nothing and letting them stuff our little home mail box until it overflowed into the hall (probably not a good idea) and it's too long to ask neighbors to take care of.

We also looked at PO Boxes at USPS and others. Our daughter in NH has the smallest box and it costs her $19 for three months. I checked the local PO's in Hampton VA; $39 for three months, and if you apply for the three month plan, you get automatic three month renewal with "no opt out." And again, what about other delivery boxes, do they sit in front of our door gathering dust until we return?

I had seen Virtual Post Office Boxes while surfing the net and they seemed like a possibility, but never having had one, we weren't sure if they were safe...until we spoke to friends. Our friends have had a Virtual Mail Box for more than fourteen years and have never had a problem, so we looked into it. We decided to go with their choice; St. Brendan's Isle. SBI has multiple package plans depending on the type of traveler you are, whether you travel by boat or by part time / full time RV. 

We decided on the Travelers Special which is the most economical plan and designed for full time and part time RV'ers at less than $12 per month. The great thing about SBI, you get an actual mailing address in Green Cove Springs,  Florida and they accept "all" mail no matter if it's junk or boxes. (you need to start a Temporary Change of Address with your local PO so that you can receive your mail while you're away.)

Now no need to worry where your Amazon, FedEx or any other odd package is going to end up, they all come to SBI. SBI will also help you set up your Florida Residency, get a Florida drivers license, register to vote and register your car, if that's what you want, now that you have a Florida address. Some of the feature are; they bill you monthly, no annual dues or fees, they offer Inactive Account status for part time RV'ers like us, and they will send your mail to you whenever and wherever you want with the junk sorted out.

So, with our mail dilemma sorted out, I think we're ready to hit the road. (still have to stock up on Good & Plenty)