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Switching mail service to mail forwarder


Repurpbus

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How long before you hit the road full time did you switch your mail over to your mail forwarding service.  I'm retiring at the end of the year and going to have to go with a new bank.  Should I open my mail account now and go ahead and start moving everything over now (August 24) or wait till i'm closer to hitting the road?

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There really isn't a single rule but what I did was to start my mail service about 3 months before we sold our house and moved into the RV. By doing so I was able to get everything moved to the mail service address well ahead of time to have less last minute work. You want to wait to move your insurance and such as it is sensitive to your location for coverage, and if you are changing banks I'd not do an address change with the present one, just make the move as you leave CA. You should also do a partial year, CA income tax return to make they aware that you have moved out of CA. If you actually retire on Dec. 31, that probably isn't necessary but since it will be some delay in getting moved to TX I would still do a partial when actually moved. The more that you can do early the less time will be required once you do leave. You should be aware that CA is one of the most aggressive states about enforcement of their tax laws so be very careful.

Edited by Kirk W
correct typo

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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I'd recommend changing banks before you do a address change to prevent new address problems with a mail service.

Full-timed for 16 Years
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome
and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

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39 minutes ago, GlennWest said:

I have had the same CU/ bank before I ever started rving. Why would you recommend that? 

The OP said he would be changing banks. 2 gypsies just recommended when to do it.

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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5 hours ago, GlennWest said:

Why would you recommend that? 

I don't believe that anyone recommended he do so but he has is planning to do so and there are many possible reasons that he might. Since he is leaving CA to domicile in TX, perhaps he banks with a local CA bank and will be moving to a Livingston, TX bank? That would be a very good reason and I'm sure that there are others. 

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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6 hours ago, GlennWest said:

I have had the same CU/ bank before I ever started rving. Why would you recommend that? 

The OP said he wanted to change banks that's why I suggested he do the change before getting a mail service.

Full-timed for 16 Years
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome
and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

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There are two issues discussed here. One is when to start the mail forwarding service. We were told to start at least three months before we needed it, and six months was better. We started a little more than three months before we hit the road, and that worked out well for us. The reason for starting the mail forwarding service well before you need it is that you have plenty of time to make sure that everything is actually switched from your old address to your new one.

The second issue is changing banks. Many financial institutions don't want to deal with the relatively few of us who are "odd-balls" living full-time on the road instead of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch. There actually is a way to deal with us, but it requires a bit of thinking and extra work on their part, but it is easier just to tell us "so sorry, we can't serve you." Changing banks while you still have your current address keeps you looking like they people they want. Then, once the account is established you can give the new bank a new mailing address, which is your mail forwarding address. Again, doing this before you hit the road makes sense.

David Lininger, kb0zke
1993 Foretravel U300 40' (sold)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS

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About 11 years I put my place in Illinois on the market. But before I did I signed up for my Escapees mail service not knowing what would be next. Within 6 months, I had opening a banking acct at First State Bank of Livingston did other small business. My place sold at 16 months, I closed my local bank acct as I drove out of town. The next time in Livingston, I completed my becoming a Legal Texas resident by getting drivers license, changed Insurance agents, register to vote and updating my trust. It was easy move as SS check was going to Texas Bank, as all other transactions were using the Texas bank. No Looking back.

Clay

 

Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow

Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C

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There may not be a choice for needing to change bank/CU.  The institution itself may close the account because of using a mail service instead of having any actual sticks & bricks residence anymore (becoming a far more common occurrence, search these forums).  It would also be one way for California to claim OP is still a "resident" and come after them for taxes.  The higher the deficit in CA gets, the more aggressive they're going to get in pursuing taxes from the masses that are leaving the state. 

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On 8/23/2024 at 8:51 PM, GlennWest said:

Well I'm sorry. A good bank I believe is a good investment. But I'll shut up now.

Yes, having a good bank is important. But, people differ on what they consider a good bank. And that's OK. I would hate for us to all be the same.

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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4 hours ago, MizzMarzBar said:

It's only been a couple days, OP may actually have other things that need doing besides being on the forums 24/7. . .

I only check in here once a day most days. Occasionally I come back twice in a day and, more rarely, occasionally I miss a day. The only thing I do 24/7 is breathe. :)

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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10 hours ago, bruce t said:

Just curious as to how much physical mail everyone gets now days? Apart form junk mail our letter box rarely gets used. Almost 100% of our important stuff is now done online.

 

About two years ago, I was curious, I normally get First Class and select Magazines, but I asked for all mail to delivered for short time. I don't remember exactly the count on the pieces of mail received but based on my normal mail included, 80% was junk. I would bet now, per-election, the junk would be higher.

Many Thanks to the Mail Room group

Clay 

Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow

Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C

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Dave often lets our mail gather a few weeks before collecting it. Then it's mostly catalogs and other junk mail. We get very little snail mail nowadays. We do get flyers from our apartment management but, since we already get those online, we mostly just recycle them as well.

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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