When embarking on nomad life, I had a challenge: How would I get my mail when I was galavanting around the world? I need a mailbox to establish residency for medical insurance and get credit cards sent to it when I’m elsewhere in the world in addition to receiving my normal small amount of snail mail.
Enter Traveling Mailbox – they provide a service where you can have an address in any state you wish and they will scan your mail and provide a digital copy so you can decide what they should send to you no matter where you are.
Since we left our apartment last month to become nomads, I got an annual subscription for a premium address in Washington State that was $199/year or $16.85/month (non-premium addresses in other states are $15/month). You are able to have up to 3 recipients on the base plan so my partner and I are splitting this cost.
Here’s the process I went through to set up this mailbox:
- Sign up for Traveling Mailbox here
- Fill out USPS Form 1583 so Traveling Mailbox is legally allowed to receive your mail
- Once that’s approved online by Traveling Mailbox, get that form notarized and upload the completed form
- Fill out a USPS Change of Address Form
- Change your address in online portals for any company that requires it
The beginning stages were all straightforward, fast and all digital, but then I hit a roadblock when the USPS form got involved: How do I get a form printed and notarized in a pandemic? In the past, I would use the library or my co-working space to print anything, but with both of those closed, I was puzzled…I was texting with my friend Angela from Tread Lightly about something else when she told me SHE’S a notary so we had a frugal win when she printed and notarized my documents for me during a hangout we were already planning to have the next day. Perfection!
FAQs
Here are a few tips so you can avoid some mistakes I made during this process 🙂 :
Where should USPS Form 1583 be notarized?
For some inexplicable reason, the official USPS form to let someone else receive your mail does not have a designated section to receive a notary stamp…despite requiring one 🙂 . I contacted Traveling Mailbox support to ask about it after Angela (rightly) wanted to make sure we were doing this correctly. They got back to me quickly (which I discuss below in the Customer Support section) and said that the notary stamp should go over the signature in Box 15 – alrighty then! So that’s what we did and the form was approved online shortly after.
When should you fill out the USPS Change Of Address Form?
I filled out this change of address form in mid-July and chose August 1 for them to begin forwarding my mail. However, apparently, inputting that date means nothing because a few days after I submitted the form, our mailbox had a green piece of paper in it which said we no longer lived there and that mail forwarding was turned on…BUT I’M RIGHT HERE!
As a result, we got to try out Traveling Mailbox receiving our mail while we were still at our old apartment, but in case you are trying to time this more carefully, it seems that the date you submit the form is when they start your mail forwarding instead of the date you ask them to 🙂. So if you need to get your mail, maybe be less neurotic than me and wait a hot second before submitting your forwarding form.
Also, when filling out the form, they provide a bunch of coupons that are supposed to help you when you move including one for 10% off anything on Amazon so heads up about that. I order from Amazon maybe once every 3 months and hilariously had just made my quarterly purchase the day before filling out this form, so if you’re planning to purchase a lot of items soon, maybe hold off until you receive that coupon 🙂 .
When should you change your address with specific companies?
I haven’t encountered any issues with changing my address yet except for one unexpected (but appreciated) speed bump from Vanguard. When you change your investing account address, they put a 7 day hold on your account so you can’t withdraw any money from your account in that time. I understand that this is done for security purposes and am happy about it, but want to give you a heads up in case you were in need of a withdrawal, but also need to change your address. Plan accordingly!
Customer Service
I am extremely happy with Traveling Mailbox thus far. The sign up process was straightforward and quick. I had one question about where to place a notary stamp that I mentioned above and they got back to me in only a few hours despite the fact that it was a Saturday AND July 4th. Very impressive.
At another point during my on-boarding process I had a question, looked around on Google and their website, read a forum and didn’t find an answer. In that moment, a Live Chat suggestion popped up on their wesbite so I decided to try it out. I typed my question, was told I was first in line a moment later and then the customer support person seemed to answer my question almost before I pressed enter…freaky, but I loved it! They told me the answer to my question and exactly what I needed to do, answered some clarifying questions I had and I was done. I’ve never written a positive review for a support person so quickly afterwards 🙂 .
Receiving Letters
The base plan we’re on includes receiving 40 letters per month and 35 letter scans per month, which is way more than we need in this digital world (all of our bills and incoming mail is set to electronic only if that’s an option. We receive maybe 10 pieces of mail a month together). Traveling Mailbox also lets you change what plan you’re on at any time so if you blow past your allotment that month, you can just change your plan no problem.
I have been really enjoying getting my mail electronically. It feels like we were messing with a horse and buggy before. Instead of having to check my mailbox each evening (first world problems much?) I get an email when I receive a piece of mail and can tell them what to do with it, such as scan and email me a picture, shred it, forward it or mail it to my bank if it’s a check. I can do all of this from my email client on my phone or computer – super simple.
Conclusion
So far I’ve really been enjoying using Traveling Mailbox. Their processes are all digital and straightforward, their customer support is unmatched and I love having fully digital mail. These nomads might be onto something 😉 .
How do you get your mail when you’re traveling?
Wow, that is wildly helpful! At one point I had a UPS box I routed all my mail to, which was great for my non-global-travel purposes. Did you run into issues informing other banks or credit card reps?
Yay! So happy it was helpful 🙂 . I haven’t run into any issues yet, but I was told by AOC that Charles Schwab didn’t let them use a Traveling Mailbox address when they tried to change. I have procrastinated in changing that one as a result 😉 , but will keep you posted.
Nice write up, thank you!
Random note, USPS usually allows you to change your address temporarily (up to 6mo) or permanently. I’ve noticed that the permanent change is what triggers a lot of the coupons & other junk mail later – USPS sells your move info to marketers in addition to providing it to business senders. Temp moves don’t seem to get sold as far as I can tell.
I tend to do 6mo temporary change of address, change everything manually, and let it expire… the junk mail takes a while to catch up that way. That can be an issue if folks don’t keep track of things that may only come once a year …
Thanks Wendy! I didn’t know you could temporarily change your address – that’s cool. I’m all about the coupons though 🙂 . A permanent change of address only lasts a year for mail forwarding and you have to change all the accounts manually as well. Smart on keeping a step ahead the junk mail!
We’ve been using Traveling Mailbox since we started our slow travel journey back in July 2018 and we love them. Their live support (as you said) is top notch and not having to deal with junk mail anymore is amazing. Not to mention managing all you mail from the palm of you hand make handling physical mail something we will probably never get to. And in a time of pandemic this is probably safer 🙂
But what is our favorite feature? Having them receive and scan both side of your credit card (for a small fee though) so you can sign-up for new cards and use them online from anywhere in the world! This is by far our favorite benefit as we open a dozen credit card each year and haven’t been back in the USA for 1+ year (thank you COVID19 :-/).
Nice! Glad to hear you’re still happy with them after all that time. And that’s cool that they scan each side of a credit card 🙂 .
There are a few challenges with the travelling mailboxes. Credit card companies and banks require a residence address and they are aware of the travelling mailboxes and UPS stores are not actual residences. In addition, you may have trouble getting your driver license to use that address, especially for the Enhanced Drivers License which requires an actual residence. Passport address may be an issue as well. Have you experienced any issues with any of this?
No I haven’t encountered problems with credit cards or banks yet and I’m not going to try and use it to get a Enhanced License or a Passport. Which institutions have given you problems with it?
Amexp, CapitalOne, BofA, Nevada DMV, Washington DMV, and the 401K accounts.
Good to know – thanks! My 401k/Trad IRA is with Vanguard and they had no problem with the traveling mailbox address. I don’t have the remaining cards, but will keep that in mind if I want to in the future.
The enhanced license can be a pain since it is used to get on planes. Passports may prove to be a challenge. I know that they dont print the address in the passport but typically one would have it sent to their residence. I am not sure how closely the passports check for the residence address.
Edd
Yep I’m not getting an Enhanced License – I’ll use my Passport since I’ll have it with me all the time anyway. I don’t need to renew either of those for 6-10 years and by then I’ll have a residence or figure out another solution.
I’ve looked at a few services like this before. It’s a pretty great idea.
That said, I’ve never really jumped on it primarily because our physical mail just isn’t all that important but I understand everyone is different in that regard.
The thing that really put me over the edge though was USPS’s free Informed Delivery service. Takes a few moments to setup online and then you get free digital scans of all the *outsides* of your mail, daily.
Of course this is only really useful if you’re using it as a sort of emergency keeping tabs type of a thing. For example, so you could know if a surprise collection notice, emergency letter, etc came in. Then, you’d need a friend to go get the mail and send a digital copy to you for you.
I appreciate any innovation in mail!
That’s awesome physical mail isn’t important in your life! I saw that USPS service – pretty interesting. And haha yay mail innovation!
Hi A purple life, I just want to say I also do things the way you do. No issues! Traveling mailbox is a better way of life. The only downside is when other people, who don’t have it as well, can’t really wrap their mind around how easy it is to get your mail scanned and forwarded and viewed online, along with a fully functional online office. I think travelingmailbox really is a game-changer in terms of freedom. I also don’t have the issues another person posted about above with credit card companies or anything. Really, if you think about it, traveling mailbox is allowing us to bypass population controls that corporations built into consuming decisions, not we the people. Why should I have to physically report to a location? I’m not a dog tethered to a pole! I don’t happen to have saved enough money up to buy property yet. Until I do, why should I be subject to control from landowners and corporations???? Actually though, because there are only 2 ways to make wealth, create it or take it, there will always be a faction of people wanting to fine, toll, ticket, tether or otherwise geographically limit. Thank you traveling mailbox, and a purple life, you are like me, another free person, thank you.
All great points. I’m glad you haven’t had any issues with Traveling Mailbox either!
I have to make a warning about Traveling Mailbox. It can be very very expensive and you have to be careful to avoid crazy charges.
I ended my forwarding with the post office on Feb. 1. On the 17th, a company sent me something that got forwarded anyway. It was a perishable product and since it was clearly the shipper’s error, they refunded me. However, Traveling mailbox charged me 34.95 to process the package AND wanted 46 more dollars to forward it to me. I chatted with customer service the day before the 34.95 charge hit and explained this was sent in error and it should be pitched.
At no point in that chat did they tell me that I was going to get hit with a 34.95 charge. The next day they said “it’s in the contract” and “telling us to shred wasn’t the same as requesting it with the button.”
Also, I had one thing forwarded to me which consisted of three one-page letters. I was charged 3.46 each time I had something forwarded. I assumed that they would put a stamp on it and call it a day.
All in all, this service can get VERY expensive if someone tries to send a package or you often need things forwarded. And keep in mind, if you file that forwarding form with the post office, packages are included and WILL be very expensively forwarded whether you wanted them or not.
After the response I got, I want nothing to do with them. It felt very obvious that this was a common complaint and that agents were taught how to respond.
Good call out! I’m sorry about your package – that situation sucks and it’s messed up they didn’t warn you about the extra cost. I’ve had several items forwarded and was fine with the $4 cost – it alerted me about the price before I requested it on their website. I haven’t had any problems with their customer service and haven’t dealt with any package situations yet, but will be on the look out. Thank you!
Yeah,
I’m still not opposed to using them- but I will not forward everything with USPS anymore because I can’t control things going to them that I will need to have forwarded. I thought about keeping them and using the TM address for random things like bills that I can have them scan but decided it was too much hassle. I mostly have to have packages delivered by USPS because they have a key to our mailroom so we dont’ need to be in attendence- so knowing I will take about a 50 buck hit every time isn’t worth it.
Also- the actual words of the CS rep was “we don’t handle packages.” Which left me to wonder why I would forward everything? USPS can’t forward just mail and not packages…
Makes sense. I think our USPS forwarding is cutting off soon and I won’t renew it. People don’t send me packages though so maybe it wouldn’t be an issue. That’s weird the rep said they don’t handle packages since they gave us a specific separate address for sending packages. I don’ know what was going on there 🙂 .
Hello A Purple Life,
I just started the process of entering my information to set up my mailbox. The USPS form is asking for my DL and SS #’s.
Is this safe to provide????
Hi Jaime – Yep it’s safe to provide. That’s a government form to make sure another entity is allowed to receive your mail so they need that information. I sent them all of that info myself.
Have you changed your state id / license to this address or do you plan to when you renew it?
My drivers license id has WA address on it and I am nomadic now so wondering if I should renew with my old address or TM. curious to hear about your experience.
I haven’t changed it – the last time I checked you don’t technically have a new valid address until you live elsewhere for 6 months and I haven’t lived anywhere that long. I’ll figure out what I’ll change it to when I renew. I am curious if they’d accept my Traveling Mailbox address, but I suspect they might not since it’s a business instead of a residence. If you find out feel free to share 🙂 .
Do you still have a residential address then Purple? How do you keep applying for your CC if you only have your TM address?
Up until recently, we utilized our California address (family address) for all our credit card applications, much like you, opening around a dozen cards annually.
However, due to the residency requirements and complexities in California (even if you prove residence elsewhere, you still have to file state taxes which does not make sense for us since we never spend more than 30 days in CA / year), we shifted our residency overseas Thanks to Taiwan.
To add an extra layer of security, we also established a new domicile in Texas, doubling as a PMB address (similar to a PO Box). Though a few banks don’t like these (like Capital One) while others (Chase) seems to be cool with it (for now). For Capital One we provide them with a ‘real’ residential address and since they let us put a mailing address to receive the card, we can still use our TM Address for these to be delivered.
Since you were in the Seattle area before becoming nomadic, I guess you didn’t have that extra state tax pressure to deal with. Taiwan was a blessing in disguise for us since this let us stop paying state tax (as we’ve definitely spent more time in Taiwan than California since the pandemic) but also let us access an amazing Healhcare for a fraction of the cost so we don’t have to worry about having insane bill if we happen to have something catastrophic that we need to deal with. Taiwan would take great care of us pretty much for FREE (or $28 / month)