[TJLAMPHERE]

Originally Posted by SIRE1

This is the reply I gave to a similar question to mail forwarding. We are snowbirds, in The Villages for 5 months and in Michigan 7 months but the same things apply whether it if for 3 months or 5 months. Based on our experience, I have some recommendations for mail forwarding.

First, set up either email delivery of many of your bills (e.g. credit cards, cable, utilities) or set up Electronic Fund Transfer to automatically pay for them without relying on the mail. The forwarding process is sometimes very slow and bills may not arrive before the due date.

Second, use the US Post Office web site to enter your forwarding request. Using the web site cost $1 but at least you know it was entered and the dates and forwarding address are correct. We used to send in the post card, which is free, but had some bad experiences when the info was entered into their computer incorrectly. By using the web site at least you will know what is entered into the post office computer system. It always amazes me that it cost me money for saving the post office from doing something they have to pay someone else to do, but that is the process.

Third, set your start and stop dates with enough lead time for mail that will be in the pipeline. We usually set the START forwarding date about 5 days before we leave. That way, any mail that has already been processed will arrive before we leave. And STOP forwarding about 10 days before you plan to leave. That way any mail that has already been processed and directed to the new address will arrive before you leave. It really does take around 10 days or so for forwarded mail to arrive vs. the 2-3 days for mail sent directly to the new address.

Fourth, for mail that you expect to receive on a regular basis (e.g. credit cards, cable TV, utilities, bank statements) , use their company web site and change your address on their Profile page. That way, this mail will be sent directly to your new address and avoid the long forwarding lead time delay. Then, before you return, use the company web site and change your address back. And remember, even though you submit a forwarding request to the post office, in addition to the junk mail that won't be forwarded, they also do NOT forward certain financial related mail. For instance, some of the income tax statements are not forwarded (learned this the hard way when we first became snow birds). So these must either have the address changed on the company's web site or you have to print on your computer. Also, new and reissued credit cards are not forwarded, even though they are mailed in a regular looking envelope. So if you are expecting tax statements, newly issued credit cards, or even new books of checks, you must use the web site to change your mailing address.

Also, be aware that the post office will only forward magazines for a month or 2 (can't remember what it is but it is not long). So if you are going to be gone longer than that, make sure you go to the company web site and change your address on their Profile page or contact them by phone. That way, this mail will be sent directly to your new address. Then, before you return, use the company web site or phone again and change your address back.

Finally, Remember, if you change your address on a credit card web site, the new zip code is your address. We have a credit card that always requires me to enter my zip code at the pump when I get gas, and I have to remember which zip code to use.

Hope this gives you some advice.

THANKS !!!!! These tips are very helpful. I will use them and hopefully, a much easier forwarding process than in the past....the $ 1 will be money well spent.

Last year, we had a heckuva time with our forwarded mail. I ended up having to go over to the Lady Lake P.O. and find out what happened. I didn't get mail anyplace for about 2 weeks, then in a couple of days, it all caught up and I got a couple of weeks worth of mail in a matter of a couple of days. And part of my problem is that I change rental units while I am in TV, so we have to have 2 Change of Addresses. And last year, for the second forwarding order, I did it from my Villages Rental 1 to my Villages Rental 2, instead of my home address in NY to my Villages Rental 2....but this year, I hope it will go more smoothly....and again, thanks for the helpful tips!!!