To avoid these hassles and stress, put some effort in managing your affairs but handling them online, so that most if not all of whatever you have to do through the mail can be eliminated. The following functions of life can now be accomplished online:
- Banking - All banks allow online banking.
- Bill paying - If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, have your bank help you set it up.
- Taxes - Simple-to-use tax programs allow you to not only do your taxes but file them online as well.
- Communicating with family and friends - Blogs of your travels are easy to set up and use and you can post photos of where you've been right in the blog).
- Sending postcards can be eliminated - Online postcards are free and easy and will be delivered instantaneously to your destination's online mailbox.
- Letters - Use email.
- Magazines and newspapers - Cancel and read the online versions.
- Mailing presents - Shop online and have the store send directly to the recipient. Most will even gift wrap and include a gift card (but not the price).
I'm sure there are other things you do through the mail, but with a little ingenuity you can figure out how to finish doing business with the USPS. And you can most likely eliminate your forwarding mail box as well.
I use all of the above and have been doing so for many years. However, there are quite a few businesses and individuals who are not configured to receive electronic bill payments to their accounts. Some are able to do ACH withdrawals from your account, but that's like letting the fox in the henhouse. And, some magazines aren't available in an online format. Finally, if you're having online purchases shipped to you, a large number still use the USPS to get them to you!
ReplyDeleteDKHT SAID IT ALL.
ReplyDeleteI have been using on line banking and bill pay for years.
My health insurance and my doctors insist on USPS.
I have been carrying around stamps so long I still have the $0.34 stamps, but only a few.
But it is fun to get snail mail like apostcard or a letter!!!
ReplyDeleteI rent a mailbox at one of those mailbox stores. They collect all my mail and I can just call them have them mail it to me wherever I'm at. That way if I change locations, with one phone call they can mail to my next location. All you have to do is have it sent to "General Delivery" to whatever town you are going to pick your mail up.
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