#How RVers get their mail
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6 STOOPID Easy Ways to Get Mail While Living In Your RV Full-Time
6 STOOPID Easy Ways to Get Mail While Living In Your RV Full-Time
How To Get Your Mail if You Live an RV, Van, Camper or Travel Trailer
The first question I get asked by new RV owners, “How do you get mail while living in your RV full-time?”
Mail service is one of those tricky logistics that most of us take for granted while living out of a “conventional” home like a house or an apartment.
For longterm travelers like myself mail delivery…
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#Google voice for RVers#How RVers get their mail#how to get mail when traveling in an RV#how to get your mail when travel for long periods of time#longterm travel mail logistics#mail delivery for thru hikers#mail service for RVers#mail setup for longterm travel
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Full time RV Living preparation
Let’s face it, being a nomad in today’s society isn’t really “normal.” Wherever you are, you’ve likely set down roots, and it takes time and effort to pull those up and create another, drastically different life for yourself.
What will you need on the road? What stuff should you get rid of, and what should you keep just in case the dream doesn’t work out? Preparing for life on the road isn’t easy, but I promise that all the work is worth it. You just have to take it one step at a time.
Here are the best tips that helped myself and others transition from a stationary life to a life on the road. What Does Dry Bath Mean In An RV https://www.rvlivingusa.com/what-does-dry-bath-mean-in-an-rv/
How to Prepare for Living in an RV Full-Time
The following tips were vital to my husband and I creating a stable, enjoyable life filled with constant travel. While your exact needs may differ, these suggestions should be helpful regardless of your exact plans or preferences.
1. Set a Date
Before you dive into the details of this transition, you first need to set a departure date. I know that might sound a bit overzealous. After all, how do you know how long it will take to prepare for living in a camper full-time?
The truth is, you don’t. But if you don’t give yourself a deadline then there’s no real sense of urgency, and there’s a good chance you’ll still be talking about going on the road this time next year. A departure date makes all your planning more real, and certainly more urgent. And that is a great motivator for making this dream happen.
How much time you’ll need depends on your current lifestyle. For instance, if you own a home, then you first need to decide if you’re going to sell or rent it out, or keep it. If you decide to sell, you’ll have to prepare your house for sale, which can take quite some time depending on how much there is to do.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to set a “final” departure date. It’s often easier to create milestones for yourself. For example, you might want to set a specific date to buy your camper (if you don’t already own one). You can set a date to have your domicile (legal residency) state set up, a date for having your home completely decluttered and purged – you get the idea. The point here is to commit. Set a date, and get to work so you meet it. rv toothbrush holder https://www.rvlivingusa.com/best-wall-mounted-toothbrush-holder-for-rv-bathroom-that-never-fails-to-impress/
2. Make a To-Do List
Your first to-do list is going to be long, but it helps to write down everything that needs your attention. Your first, simple to-do list might look something like this: • Research campers • Research domicile residency • Start decluttering • Organize a garage sale • Research how to earn a mobile income • Research health care options • Research where to camp • Choose a mail service • Cancel utilities
Every to-do list is going to vary widely because each person’s situation is unique. To start, sit down and make a list of what it will take to uproot yourself and hit the road. As you cross items off your list and learn more about transitioning to full-time RV living, your list will grow longer and more detailed.
3. Simplify
You will need to take daily steps to simplify your life and declutter your home. What you choose to get rid of will depend on your plans. For example, is your goal to travel for a year and then settle back down in a home somewhere? Do you want to put some things in storage in case living on the road doesn’t work out, or would you rather jump in with both feet and only keep what you’re taking with you in your RV? How To Watch TV In RV While Driving https://www.rvlivingusa.com/how-to-watch-tv-in-rv-while-driving/
Only you know the answers to these questions, so think carefully about what you want as you go through the process of decluttering. This level of decluttering can be draining and emotionally intense, especially if you decide to get rid of everything. However, it can also be incredibly liberating to pare down your things to the minimum.
• Schedule Time Daily for Decluttering and Simplifying. Even an hour a day will, day after day, make a big difference. • Focus on One Small Area at a Time. For example, one drawer, one shelf, or one wall of your closet. Keeping your focus on one small area at a time will help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Small areas also make it easier to see progress, which is important for staying motivated. • Make a Decision. Every time you pick something up, whether it’s a piece of china or a piece of paper, make a decision about it: keep, donate, or pitch. Don’t lay it down to think about later. Always make a decision. • Take a Picture of Your Donation Pile Before You Take It to the Thrift Store. This is another great way to remind yourself that you are making progress. • Have a Giveaway Party. Make decluttering fun by hosting a giveaway party. Invite neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues over to take what they like. Mark giveaway items with a green sticker. Use red stickers to mark the items that you’ve decided to keep. • Consider Renting a Storage Unit. Storage units are expensive, but they can help ease the pressure of the decluttering process, especially if you have a lot of family items you just can’t get rid of. Many full-timers start off renting a storage unit and, over months or years, return to it in the middle of their travels and slowly empty it out. Once you get on the road, you might find that your attachment to these things lessens over time.
4. Outline Your Necessities
You’re going to wrestle with what you’ll need to take with you on the road. I promise that you will need far less than you think you do. And no matter how well you plan and analyze the things you take, you’re probably going to make mistakes; that’s part of the process. storage ideas for rv closets https://www.rvlivingusa.com/20-storage-ideas-for-rv-closets-with-pictures/
Clothing
How much clothing you take will depend on where you expect to travel. Most full-time RVers follow the weather, meaning they head north or west during the summer, and south during the winter. Constantly living in a mild climate means you will need few thick and heavy clothes.
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Postal service mail forward

Postal service mail forward how to#
Postal service mail forward code#
Postal service mail forward free#
You can extend this after your initial request up to one year (12 months).
Postal service mail forward code#
Use this code to modify or cancel your request.
Postal service mail forward how to#
See the Royal Mail website for pricing tables and more details. When you initially set it up, you can arrange for mail to be forwarded up to 6 months. Forwarding Mail Exceptions & Details (DMM 507.2.0) How to Change Your Address Online Go to the Official USPS Change of Address website. This allows mail to be forwarded for up to one year. If only a part of your business is relocating, your business operates across multiple sites or your company works from a building alongside other businesses, then mail diversion is a more appropriate option for you. Post offices and other mail service providers typically offer a mail forwarding service, commonly known as hybrid mail or virtual post office box services. You can forward your mail if your current change of address form is on file. Check the Royal Mail website for tables of pricing and more information about this service. This service is most relevant when your business is completely moving from one location to a new one, or for businesses that solely occupy a building. Packages delivered by any other carriers will. The Escapees Mail Forwarding Service enables you to receive your mail, no matter where in North America you travel. It’s simple to get your business’ mail redirected or diverted. USPS packages that are left by you or received after June 1st will be forwarded to your Banner mailing address. Postal Servicehas enabled full-time and part-time RVers to receive their mail and packages wherever they travel in North America, whenever they want, and always with our friendly. Since 1985, our Mail Forwarding Servicea commercial mail-receiving agent licensed by the U.S.
Postal service mail forward free#
Much business mail is privileged so it’s imperative that it isn’t picked up by anyone who isn’t the intended recipient. When moving, postal items sent to the former address are redirected to the new address free of charge for one year just by submitting the relocation form to the. Escapees RV Club operates the country’s oldest, largest and most economical private mail forwarding service. If your business is moving premises or you are temporarily relocating your operations due to Covid-19, redirecting your mail is crucial to continue trading as normal.

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How To Receive A Package At A Campground (7 Ways)
How To Receive A Package At A Campground (7 Ways)
Trying to figure out how to get a package to a campground? Whether you’re a full-time RVer or just going on a camping trip, getting mail on the road can be a challenge. But, thankfully, it’s now easier than ever with simple delivery, virtual mailboxes, mail forwarding and more… Jennifer and I are on the road about three-quarters of the year, moving from place to place often. So, we had to learn…

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Happy 3
February 15, 2019 was my last official day at Amarillo High School, we closed on our house and drove away with Amarillo in our rear view mirror as Steve pulled our home and I followed in the Jeep. We have been full timing it for 3 years now. According to stats, we are almost 1/2 through the number of years most RVers last. I really have no idea how long we’ll last but so far we haven’t even discussed stopping. My niece’s softball season has begun. They had an amazing double hitter on their first regular season match up. They were a D2 school playing a D1; therefore, they were expecting to be beat soundly (like last year) but instead, the won both games, even run ruling them in the 2nd game. They seem to have a better team this year so, if they can keep up the momentum, it should be a fun season. Saturday, they also pulled off 2 wins. Madison pitched the whole 2nd game and held them to 3 runs. Off to a fantastic start! We decided to make plans to go to Yuma so we can cross the border for Steve to get his dental cleaning done. I will just have mine done here in Phoenix. We planned it so that we can be there the weekend my niece has games in Yuma. We also want to check out the slides/hydraulics that are hopefully repaired and ready for some summer travel! I must say this job/winter has flown by which is a good thing. Means we have enjoyed it! We have already told Roadhaven that we want to come back next fall/winter and they said they would work on getting our same site arranged for us. We have liked it here…good location, quiet and great neighbors. I don’t know what they will have Steve do but he continues to spend most of his time in the mail room. He doesn’t seem to mind. I meant to “tell on” Steve in my last blog but I forgot. I have read about people on Facebook doing this but neither one of us were guilty until Steve did it around the holidays. We were at my brother’s house and Steve had to report that he tried to flush the toilet with the foot pedal, that didn’t exist. It’s easy to get used to using a foot pedal in the RV and then forget when you are using a “real” toilet. I’m sure my time will come…I’ll let you know! We went to Quartzsite a few weeks ago for a RV show. It’s not just an RV show; it’s more like a swap meet/RV show. We toured some RVs and saw a lot of booths full of various things RVers might be interested in. Under the big tent were some businesses looking for workampers. Express Pro/DigiKey had a booth there so we went to talk to them about our situation for a third time. This time we must have said the magic words because the girl pulled us aside and told us to call their office first thing Monday morning and they’d put us on the list for 2nd shift. We didn’t know there was a list, but we did know that some were being told they could have 2nd shift. We weren’t being told that so Steve spoke the words that we might not come back if we had to work 3rd shift and boom! We were told about the secret list of 50 workampers that DigiKey is needing to work 2nd shift and made the call and are now officially on the list. So, we are planning to return first week of May and work for at least 3 months. Then we are going to play until we have to be back to Arizona in October/November. We may try to go to Mackinac Island before heading south toward the Smoky Mountains where we will spend the majority of our time. We still have a lot of details to work out but that’s loosely the plan. I’m very excited about it. We still want to take that cruise or vacation to Mexico but it will have to wait a year.
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Must Read RV Books For RVers
It is good to have a book despite today's modern technology because you need no electricity or even wi-fi to know about what you want to know. Whether you are a beginner RV lover or an experienced one, looking for books related to RVs you will find here some books of your choice. All these books are written by experienced RVers. From a large shelf of books, I have picked a few ones for you. Let's see which one you like the most.
1. A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America

Cover photo of A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV- Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America
Author-Alyssa Padgett Publisher- Independently Published Pages- 205 pages (paperback) Language- English Facebook Page- Visit About The Author- This book is written by Alyssa Padgett, who convinced her husband to take her to all the 50 states of the USA for their honeymoon. They do not know about RVing or RVs at that time. Alyssa is also a film producer and a travel blogger. She had directed and produced Hourly America, which is a documentary film about her 50 states' honeymoon. It was featured on CBS, CNN, People, Yahoo, Huffington Post, and others. About The Book- They kept on learning and in the end, she wrote this book which is a very good read for a beginner RVer. In this book, she had tried to give answers to the beginners questions such as: The cost of full-time RVing How to find a great internet on the road? Whether you can tow a car behind the RV? What they do for health insurance while traveling? Best RVing clubs and memberships Their favorite apps for RVers If you are looking for topics such as: Traveling with kids How to downsize to an RV from a house? How to travel with pets? Then do not read this book as they have not covered these topics.
2. The RV Book

Cover photo of The RV Book
Author- Mark J. Polk Publisher- RV Education 101; Updated edition Pages- 288 pages Language- English Facebook Page- Visit About The Author- Mark Polk is a retired United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Three. He owns and operates RV Education 101 which is based in North Carolina since 1999. He has experience in RV background as he has been in RV services, sales, and management. About The Book- This book is written by an expert who has huge experience with RVs. In this book, Mark makes complex things into easy, he has given tips as to how you can make your RV experience safe, fun and stress-free. It is for those people who want to know how to properly use and maintain an RV. Editorial Reviews- "Mark Polk has written a superbly insightful book on how to use and properly maintain any recreation vehicle. This indispensable guide will save RV owners plenty of money and countless hours of frustration. With the possible exception of a sewer hose, The RV Book should be the first thing new RV owners buy. After reading it, they should store it in the cabinet above their refrigerator - it will be like taking an RV service technician with them on vacation. As a seasoned RV user himself, Mark knows first hand what all RV owners need to know to enjoy a hassle-free and safe experience on the road and in the campground. Don't have an RV yet? The RV Book can help anyone select the right motorhome or travel trailer based on the unique needs of his or her family. The book's resource section lists the names of scores of companies and associations directly involved in the RV industry, along with their web addresses should further information be desired. Reading The RV Book is just like buying 10 years of RVing experience" - GREG GERBER, Editor-in-Chief of Milo Media RV Publications "After 20 years of fulltime RVing, I still discovered new information while reading The RV Book" - Peggi McDonald, Author of RV Living in the 21st Century
3. Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road

Cover photo of Living the RV Life- Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road
Author- Marc Bennett & Julie Bennett Publisher- Adams Media Pages- 256 pages (Paperback) Language- English Blog- Visit About The Authors- Mark Bennett and his wife Julie Bennett are full-time RVers and bloggers. They have traveled to all 50 states of the USA and countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Australia. About The Book- This book deals with the learning as to how to do a transition from a home dweller to living full time as RVer. Language and writing style is simple to understand. Some topics which are covered in this book are: How to choose an RV? Details on the experience of full-time RVer Can you sell your house or if not then what to do? Cost of various models Routes and destinations How to maintain a vehicle? Legal Issues It is a bible to living a mobile life. Editorial Reviews- "Perfect for the RVer who’s thinking about going full time, or one who wants to revel in another’s adventures. Either way, it makes for a great way to pass the time when you’re looking to disconnect." —Dutchmen "This is an excellent introduction to RVing and a suitable holiday gift for those who are considering the RV lifestyle." —Escapees Magazine "Perfect for the RVer on your gift-giving list Living the RV Life is jam-packed with full-color photos and practical information to help anyone hit the road and enjoy the RV lifestyle." —Great Lakes Camper "WOW is it packed full of good information… .This book … would be invaluable for somebody who is in the ‘serious preparation' phase of starting a nomadic life." —Explorist "This book has … an inspirational, get out there and do it, kind of feel." —Winnebago Life "Both aspirational and practical Living the RV Life is a terrific guide for people of all ages looking to downsize, travel, or work on the go." —RV Travel
4. Motorhome and RV Retirement Living: The Most Enjoyable and Least Expensive Way to Retire

Cover photo of book Motorhome and RV Retirement Living- The Most Enjoyable and Least Expensive Way to Retire
Author- Jerry Minchey Publisher- Stony River Media; 1 edition Pages- 210 pages (Paperback) Language- English Blog- Visit About The Author- Jerry Minchey has written many books related to the RVing lifestyle and also about retirement living. He has a Bachelors's degree in Electrical Engineering, an MBA from USC and OPM degree from Havard Bussiness School. Jerry lives in his 34 foot Class A motorhome full time. He is also the founder and editor of the website LifeRV.com. About The Book- This book is for people who are retired or are going to retire, then this book is a must-read for them. In this book, Jerry Minchey has gone through topics such as: What it is like living full time in an RV? What kind of RV you should have? Can you afford an RV lifestyle? Can you drive an RV? What is the cost of RV? RV Buying tips for beginners How to find the best campgrounds? What is boondocking? How to tow a car? Mail, internet, legal residence, healthcare and lots more.
5. The Complete Book of Boondock RVing: Camping Off the Beaten Path

Cover photo of the book The Complete Book of Boondock RVing- Camping Off the Beaten Path
Author- Bill Moeller Publisher- International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1st edition Pages- 176 pages (Paperback) Language- English About The Author- Bill Moeller is a full-time RVer for more than 3 decades. He has written many bestselling RV books. He also writes for a newspaper column. About The Book- This book is for people who want to camp out in the wild. The author has presented the complete guide to camping without hookups (dry camping). He has given many tips as to how to spend overnight in a parking lot or in the wilderness. After reading this book you will learn: How to equip your RV for boondocking? How to find great campsites? Conservation and management of electricity and water How to do a convenient RVing Establish communications.
6. RV Living in the 21st Century: The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers

Cover photo of the book RV Living in the 21st Century- The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers
Author- Peggi McDonald Publisher- AuthorHouse Pages- 296 pages (Hardcover) Language- English Blog- Visit About The Author- Peggie Mcdonald is from the Air Force and her husband is from the navy. After their retirement, they sold their house and started living full-time RVers. They have 2 decades of experience in RVing and call North America as their backyard. About The Book- In this book, Peggie has shared her experience and addressed topics such as: Border crossing Types of campgrounds How to use the internet on the road? RV maintenance Traveling with pets How to make more living space?
7. Secrets of RVing on Social Security

Cover photo of the book Secrets of RVing on Social Security
Author- Jerry Minchey Publisher- Stony River Media Pages- 186 pages (Paperback) Language- English Blog- Visit About The Book- This is another book from Jerry Minchey, in which he writes about how you can travel across the country in your RV in far less money than living in your home. He has shown the readers in a step by step manner how they can enjoy the RV life rather than living in their home. It tells about the people who are living in RV full time and how you can do it on your own. The author has given his honest views on the cons and pros of it. This book is for those who are retired or willing to retire to live as a full-time RVer.
8. RVing, 4E (Idiot's Guides)

Cover photo of the book RVing, 4E (Idiot's Guides)
Authors- Brent Peterson & April Maher Publisher- Alpha; 4th edition Pages- 352 pages (Paperback) Language- English About The Authors- Brent Peterson is a veteran RV writer and editor he is also the former editor of RV View and is editor-at-large for Woodall's Publishing. April Maher writes about outdoor recreation in a monthly "Camping Journal" column. About The Book- In this book you can read about: How to plan a perfect trip? Tips on maintaining the RVs electrical, plumbing and LP systems. How to deal with bad weather, accidents, breakdown, and other mishaps. Genuine tips on how to buy or rent an RV? Price and insurance
9. Best RV Tips from RVTipOfTheDay.com

Cover photo of the book Best RV Tips from RVTipOfTheDay
Author- Steven Fletcher Publisher- CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 3/17/13 edition Pages- 212 pages (Paperback) Language- English Blog- Visit About The Author- Steven Fletcher has earned 4 service technician certificates from Domestic by completing their correspondence course. He has shared many maintenance tips over the years. From 2000 to 2004 he wrote a column called Curbside for RV Companion magazine. About The Book- Steven Fletcher has written about these topics in this book that are very helpful: RV Care & Maintenance Tips RV Boondocking – Dry-Camping – Overnighting Tips RV Camping Tips/li> RV Park Reservation & Check-In Checklists RV Travel & Destination Tips RV Driving Tips RV Lifestyle Tips Work Camping Tips RV Accessories Tips RV Battery Tips RV Holding Tanks & Toilet Tips RV Fresh Water System Tips RV Electrical System Tips RV Refrigerator Tips Miscellaneous RV Tips Tips for RVing With Pets There are more than 400 tips in this book that you can use.
10. RV Vacations (Idiot's Guides)

Cover photo of the book RV Vacations (Idiot's Guides)
Authors- Jeremy Puglisi & Stephanie Puglisi Publisher- Alpha Pages- 192 pages (Paperback) Language- English Blog- Visit About The Authors- Jeremy & Stephanie Puglisi are the host of the RV Family Atlas podcast. They are award-winning educators and writers who spend time in their RV with their 3 kids. They are also the author of a book named Acadia National Park Adventure Guide. About the Book- This book covers some interesting topics such as: Information on how you can be safe on the road How you can book a space at campgrounds Boondocking and getting ready for non-campground camping. How to choose a destination and how you can plan a perfect trip for yourself? list of top campgrounds in various regions 40 best RV vacations to the popular attractions in the USA which includes national and state parks, beach destinations. If You Think Your Friends/Network Would Find This Useful, Please Share It With Them Or You Can Give Us 5 Stars Down Below – We’d Really Appreciate It- Thanks! Read the full article
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A Little of This and That
If you shop at Walmart, do you use Savings Catcher? If not, you should. I just applied a $26.00 gift card from Savings Catcher to my last purchase at Walmart. All you have to do is sign up, scan your sales receipt with your phone or enter the number on your computer and Savings Catcher lets you know if you have any savings. They do the comparison shopping for you and refund the difference into your Savings Catcher account. You can then get the refund whenever you want to ask for it.
Now, on to crafting. I’ve been on a binge of making tassel necklaces. A friend asked me to repair a necklace for her and to make her a similar one using copper chain and specific colors. I’ll try to post a picture or two a little later.
I also have some ladder or trellis yarn that I work with occasionally. A friend asked me to make her some in specific colors so I did. These were very popular a few years ago and seem to be gaining popularity again.
I’ve had to postpone my arm knitting class for a week because of a shortened knitting group time this coming Monday because of an Activity Council Board Meeting that needs the same space that day. I would really like to have the 2 hours for the class so that people get a good grasp on the on the techniques involved.
We live in a 55 plus apartment building (about 150 people) and we have a lovely coffee room where we can have groups, classes, coffee time, meetings, game night, etc. Some people participate in many things and some we may only see at the mail boxes or in the elevator. We had been full-time RVers for 20 years and I loved the activities in the RV parks and the ease of making friends. This building is as close to an RV park as you can get without having an RV. We had to leave that lifestyle because of health reasons but we both still miss it at times.
Speaking of health, I recently had surgery, had an asthma attack while in the hospital which triggered a mild heart attack. Now let me tell you, that really, REALLY increased the number of doctors in my life. I now have a cardiologist who seems to be very busy - is now booking appointments in February. I bring this up because of an incident that was creating problems in my scheduling. Before the surgery, I had deferred jury duty until November 1st or later - so I thought. I had managed to get an appointment with the cardiologist on October 31st when much to my horror came a jury summons for October 31st. How I HATE voice mail and all I could reach at the jury office and the doctor’s office was VOICE MAIL!!! Finally the jury office called me back and was very reasonable and offered to change my notice to November 14th -- bless them. I believe that I should serve and was willing to do so - just NOT on October 31st! It was such a blessing to talk to a pleasant, helpful government employee.
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Virtual Mailboxes: How to Receive Mail while Traveling
Digital Nomads
How do long-term travelers and digital nomads receive mail or packages while traveling? I use a virtual mailbox service that allows me to scan and forward my mail internationally.
I’ve been working as a digital nomad for the past 9 years, basing myself in multiple countries or simply living out of my backpack while traveling.
Currently, I’m living as an expat in Italy.
Yet I have a virtual mailbox with a physical address in San Antonio, Texas.
Using this service, any incoming mail or packages is photographed, which I can then view through an online dashboard.
From there, I can decide to scan the contents (letters), forward the mail/packages somewhere else, or have it shredded/recycled. I can even deposit checks.
My virtual mailbox service is incredibly helpful for running my online business getting paid to travel around the world!
I use it to receive payments from clients, for business & personal bills, bank & credit card statements, legal documents, packages, and more.
Guide To Virtual Mail Forwarding In 2019
My Earth Class Mail Online Dashboard
1. Earth Class Mail (Recommended)
Cost: $69-$179 USD per month
Earth Class Mail is the virtual mailbox service that I personally use, and have been using for the last 5 years. Their suite of features is the most advanced, especially if you’re running an online business.
They have the largest number of US-based addresses for different states of all the services mentioned here. Their online software, features, speed, and sorting facilities are top-notch, but you’ll also pay a premium for it.
While expensive, I can’t imagine running my travel blog without them. It’s one business expense that’s totally worth it. I use them to receive client checks, important packages, business & personal banking correspondence, tax documents, everything!
The service integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Bill.com, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more.
They also offer a fully-automated CheckStream Deposit Service if your business receives a lot of physical checks.
Earth Class Mail Details →
2. Traveling Mailbox
Cost: $15-$159 USD per month
Traveling Mailbox is another decent forwarding service with 5 plans to choose from depending on your needs. Like Earth Class Mail, all accounts include basic envelope scans, junk mail filtering, unlimited cloud storage and free mail shredding.
They have over 30 addresses around the US. Premium features like check deposits cost extra. There are additional fees if you go over your monthly limits. The service integrates with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox.
3. US Global Mail
Cost: $10-$20 USD per month
US Global Mail has been around since 1998, and they offer individual and family plans for short-term (monthly) or long-term (1-2 year) periods.
They offer free letter storage for 180 days, and free package storage for 30 days. Mail forwarding rates are quite affordable. One major downside is that they only offer one address location in Houston, Texas. This isn’t ideal if you need your address to match your state of residence.
4.8 million Americans who now call themselves digital nomads? Technology has made the digital office a reality for many, and now you don’t have to be tied down by physical mail either.
RVers & Vanlifers
Living out of a vehicle like an RV or campervan poses a challenge to receiving your mail & packages, especially if you’re on the road. Forward your mail to the next RV campground you plan to stop at, no matter what state you’re driving through.
Expats
Are you living overseas in a foreign country with a travel-friendly job, but want to keep a physical mailing address in the US for billing, voting, and tax purposes? Sign up for a virtual mailing address in your former home state.
USPS Form 1583 and have it notarized.
Unless you’re signing up for Earth Class Mail, who offers free complimentary notarized online activation, you’ll need to get the form notarized in person.
Or if you’re already outside the United States — through an online notary service like NotaryCam (which only costs $25).
Reduce the amount of physical mail you generate by signing up for paperless billing and online statements. Opt out of credit card & insurance offers using https://www.optoutprescreen.com/
Many financial institutions require a physical mailing address and don’t allow PO boxes. Make sure to choose a plan accordingly.
When picking a virtual mailbox service, pay attention to the plan limits and figure out how much mail you think you’ll receive.
You might be able to reduce your state taxes by setting up residency in a state with no income tax. Pick a virtual address in that same state.
READ MORE DIGITAL NOMAD TIPS
I hope you enjoyed my guide to virtual mailbox services! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:
How To Start A Successful Travel Blog
Proof Of Onward Travel For Flying
My Best Travel Tips For Beginners
10 Great Compact Travel Cameras
How I Became An Irish Citizen
Have any questions about virtual mailbox services or mail forwarding while you travel? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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Answers
There are so many good questions so, I’ll try to answer some of them.
Q. Do you feel safe?
A. Yes… very. There has never been a time when we felt threatened (except maybe an alligator or two, but Becky, being from Florida, assured me they are no big deal.) Sometimes we go on walks at night and hear the coyotes, but being a “good ol’ boy” from Tennessee I do carry at all times. Most states have concealed or open carry laws and reciprocate with TN permits. The crazy states like California and NY probably won’t get our business. If we ever did feel unsafe, we have wheels under us and can move in a hurry. We research our destinations and have apps full of comments and ratings from other full-timers. If we go off-grid to a BLM or NFS lands we always check it out in the Jeep first to make sure it’s accessible and looks safe. In the parks and resorts everyone is recreating and having fun so we haven’t run into bad people.
Q. How often do you shop for supplies?
A. When we run out of beer or bread. Most places are in range of a Walmart. If not, we stock up on things when we know we’ll be off-grid awhile. We can always pull things out of the freezer and throw it on the grill. It is surprising how much storage we have. We have never wanted for more space.
Q. How has your cooking changed.
A. We thought it might be a challenge in a smaller space. but it really is not. We have plenty of storage and counter spac. Becky does most of the cooking now (I use to do most of it) and she has really enjoyed it. Going from a six-burner stove to a two-burner, she has learned to adjust, often preparing a one skillet dinner instead of having six pots going at once. We have a convection oven/microwave, a pressure cooker, propane gas stove and all the small appliances to make anything we did in our sticks and bricks. Then outside we have a camp stove, a grll, chairs, table, and a portable fireplace.

Q. Do you plan on hitting all states.
A. The plan is NO PLAN! If we happen to do it, that would be nice, however, we have no agenda and want to stay flexible. There are some states I just can’t get excited about.
Q. What about medical?
A. I am on Medicare and it’s pretty easy for me to walk into any medical service and get cared for. Just this week I had to have a cactus burr removed from my foot. Becky, on the other hand, is faced with not being able to get conventional medical insurance that goes across state lines (grrrr, don’t get me started!!.) She has opted for a high deductible, affordable Faith-Based Medi-Share plan. We will have our teeth cleaned and see our regular docs when we come back through Nashville. Prescriptions are filled at any Walmart. Just praying we stay healthy.
Q. How do you get your mail?
A. Good question, right now we are using our daughter's address for a residence and she is fielding most everything, most bills of course are paid online. My accountant takes care of my company PO box. The Escapees organization provides RVers electronic mail forwarding, and arranges domiciles in Texas, Florida, and South Dakota. If my daughter moves to KY we will most likely switch our domicile to Texas for taxes and car registration.
Q. What are things you did or did not expect?
A. I did not expect to be so comfortable both living in the coach or living this lifestyle. With great heat and air, sleep number bed, back-up power, solar, comfy couch, recliner and adequate kitchen, we have everything we need and want. It has been really nice and I would recommend it to anyone who wants adventure and is willing to do their due-diligence with research and planning.
I heard Becky tell someone that she expected to have more “highs” all the time, but I guess like anything else, if you do something all the time there are days you have to adjust to life. Yesterday we had to stay in the air-conditioned coach because it was 108 degrees outside. We will move to a higher elevation this week. The good news is, we don’t have to mow the back yard or weed the garden. We have found that exercise is the key to fighting the blues. All the resorts have nice workout rooms and the parks have great places to hike. Becky has her YouTube videos and Yoga mat.
Overall this lifestyle has exceeded our expectations and is the most rewarding adventure imaginable.
Q. How long does it take to pack up and move?
A. An average of an hour and forty-five minutes.
Q. How long can you run on solar?
A. We have 660 Amp Hours of batteries and 3-160 watts of solar panels with a MPPT solar charger and a 5OOO Magnum Inverter. If we have a full sunny day we can generate enough power to run our power hungry full-size residential refrigerator and have enough left over to run our LED lights, charge our phones and watch an episode of “This is Us” without having to use the generator. But we don’t always have the those clear sunny days, so if we’re not hooked up we have to run the 8000K Onan diesel genny for an hour or two. If we need air conditioning we have to run the genny.
Q. How about your toilet, grey water, black water, how often do you have to dump?
A. We installed a compost toilet that we love (no more smell and use of water.) You can read more about it (click here) in an earlier blog post. No longer do we need the black water tank, so we have combined our black and grey tanks. Now we have 116 gallons of grey and and 90 gal. of fresh. so we can do laundry, take showers and not worry about consuming water while unhooked. A few weeks ago I spent 10 days dry camping with no hookups and only used about half of the water on board.
Let us know what other questions you have
#homeonwheels#howrv#JonandBecky#rvlife#fulltimerv#wonderlust#livingontheroad#rvtravel#retireontheroad
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10 Tips for Full-time RV Life
As decisions go, this is a biggie. Sell your house and live full-time in an RV “out there.” Where? Wherever you want. Before you swallow all that freedom in a single gulp there are a few things you might want to know.
#1 MAKE A PRACTICE RUN…OR TWO…OR TEN.
No one should toss the house keys to the new owner and point their new rig towards the open road without having experienced previously spending time in an RV. Not just a weekend or even a week but ideally an extended period of time. No trial run will exactly duplicate the finality of being without a home base but being on the road will help identify what kind of full-timer you will be. Do you prefer being a “mover” or a “sitter?” Do you prefer the solitude of a campsite alone in the woods or the activities found in a commercial campground? These test runs will also serve to clarify your most important decision before becoming a full-time RVer…
#2 HOW MUCH HOUSE DO YOU NEED?
There is an RV ready to match your dream. Use your vacation RV trips to test different rigs. If you are visiting off-the-beaten-track tourist nooks and wilderness sites a more maneuverable RV could be preferable to a motorcoach. Or your dream RV just may not have as much room as you need to live on the road full time comfortably. Be honest with yourself upfront and you will save yourself the hassle of trading up or down in your first few years untethered from a home base.
#3 “YOU DON’T NEED THAT. YOU WON’T USE THAT.”
Everyone has heard the age-old packing tip for a trip – “pack half the clothes you think you need – and then get rid of half of them.” When you are preparing to live on the road you need to amp up those percentages even more, way more. Only you can make the determination of what is truly “essential” but come be prepared to attack your first “must-have” list with an arsenal of scissors and black pens.
What to do with the excess? Hold a yard sale. Have fun on eBay for a few months. Invite friends and family to pick through your belongings. Give stuff away. If you absolutely must, rent a storage locker. Beware, though – if you are having difficulty shaving possessions from your life you still may be a few years away from full-time RVing.
#4 YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A MASTER MECHANIC BUT…
Every RV comes with a manual and you two should spend some quality time together. Learn your way around the electrical system and the fuse box. Don’t be intimidated by basic plumbing. Be prepared to patch leaks in the roof and around windows and doors with sealants. Establish a routine to perform the annual chores recommended by the manual. These are not onerous tasks, but essential ones to making life easy on the road.
#5 AND WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN, BE INSURED.
There are a host of insurance decisions to be made when living on the road, among them accidents, thefts, and illnesses. Study the many discounts and options before you leave and you should only need to put yourself through the process once. Two coverages are essential: for the replacement value of your RV should it be damaged or stolen and for personal belongings, much like homeowners insurance. There are many insurers and levels of coverage – select wisely for the insurance to suit your intended lifestyle. Medical insurance is also offered specifically for full-timers.
#6 GET LIMBER TO STRETCH THAT DOLLAR.
Even for the rare folks who RV full-time with unlimited cash, getting by on less money becomes ingrained in the RV lifestyle. Tracking spending and working from a budget becomes second nature on the road. Before you head out get in the habit of logging daily spending on everything to learn where the money goes. And check in with experienced RVers for advice – and get ready to write down ideas fast because every RVer has favorite tips to stretch dollars on the road.
If you are planning to take on seasonal or temporary jobs to help support a full-time RV lifestyle there are many more opportunities than just campgrounds and parks. Before you go, research the opportunities available that sound attractive and prepare a resume and contact information that highlights your range of skills.
And don’t forget the discount cards and passes. There are plenty out there and your glovebox should be stuffed with these money-savers before you leave. Tops on that list for any RVer over the age of 62 is Senior America The Beautiful Pass. For $80 the Senior Pass provides lifetime admission to every national park and 2,000 more recreational sites—and that includes up to three other adults in the vehicle.
#7 STAY CONNECTED
It is always hard to sell a house and leave family and friends behind but today’s technologically rich world makes the parting a much sweeter sorrow. WIFI hotspots are becoming more prevalent around North America, especially for travelers. Many campgrounds and visitor centers are wired for your WIFI-enabled devices. Before you leave check out the many service providers and resellers who can keep you online and tapped into the world while on the move. Your rig can also carry along its own satellite dish, hard-mounted or mobile. You can choose how connected you want to be in your RV.
#8 WHERE WILL WE “LIVE?”
Even after bidding goodbye to your physical address, you will still need to establish a permanent legal address for such dreary souvenirs of your former homebound life as driver’s licenses, vehicle inspections, voting registration, and bank accounts. There are 50 different sets of rules and regulations and your home state may not be the most accommodating to a nomadic lifestyle. Among the options to consider are taxes, insurance rates, and efficiency of mail forwarding. Three of the most popular domicile states for full-time RVers are South Dakota, Texas, and Florida.
#9 WORK ON A GAME PLAN.
Many full-timers follow the weather as they travel, moving to more friendly climes – be they cooler or warmer – through the year. That serves as a fine rough outline but it can be frustrating to arrive in a new area and discover you missed a festival or traditional event by a day or two. Plan ahead and keep travel resources at the ready. But the golden rule of full-time RV travel planning is to stay flexible. Don’t be in a rush to head off down the road.
#10 AND OF COURSE JOIN THE GOOD SAM CLUB FOR CAMPING DISCOUNTS
One of the biggest aids to planning is membership in the Good Sam Club. Not only will you find invaluable destination and campground information but just about everything on this list as well.
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Best Virtual Mailbox Service For Travelers & Digital Nomads
Virtual Mailboxes: How to Receive Mail while Traveling
Digital Nomads
How do long-term travelers and digital nomads receive mail or packages while traveling? I use a virtual mailbox service that allows me to scan and forward my mail internationally.
I’ve been working as a digital nomad for the past 9 years, basing myself in multiple countries or simply living out of my backpack while traveling.
Currently, I’m living as an expat in Italy.
Yet I have a virtual mailbox with a physical address in San Antonio, Texas.
Using this service, any incoming mail or packages is photographed, which I can then view through an online dashboard.
From there, I can decide to scan the contents (letters), forward the mail/packages somewhere else, or have it shredded/recycled. I can even deposit checks.
My virtual mailbox service is incredibly helpful for running my online business and getting paid to travel around the world!
I use it to receive payments from clients, for business & personal bills, bank & credit card statements, legal documents, packages, and more.
Guide To Virtual Mail Forwarding In 2019
What Is A Virtual Mailbox?
Top Virtual Mailbox Services
Who Should Consider A Virtual Mailbox?
How To Set Up Mail Forwarding
Where To Pick Up Your Mail
Virtual Mailbox Tips & Advice
My Earth Class Mail Online Dashboard
What Is A Virtual Mailbox?
A virtual mailbox is a special service that gives you an actual physical mailing address, that you can use as your permanent address for sending all your physical mail and packages, even if you’re traveling overseas.
Typical Virtual Mailbox Services Include:
Online mail notification
Online viewing of envelopes & packages
Open and scan contents of your mail
Mail forwarding
Shred, dispose or recycling of mail
Package storage and shipping
Check deposit service
Signature upon delivery
Different online travel mailbox services offer different features. Some are more advanced than others.
There’s usually a base price with additional fees depending on which extra’s you want (like check deposit) or how much mail you receive.
Some virtual mailboxes offer a PO box address, while others offer a real physical street address — which is often required for many banks and official government correspondence.
Top Virtual Mailbox Services For Travel
1. Earth Class Mail (Recommended)
Cost: $69-$179 USD per month
Earth Class Mail is the virtual mailbox service that I personally use, and have been using for the last 5 years. Their suite of features is the most advanced, especially if you’re running an online business.
They have the largest number of US-based addresses for different states of all the services mentioned here. Their online software, features, speed, and sorting facilities are top-notch, but you’ll also pay a premium for it.
While expensive, I can’t imagine running my travel blog without them. It’s one business expense that’s totally worth it. I use them to receive client checks, important packages, business & personal banking correspondence, tax documents, everything!
The service integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Bill.com, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more.
They also offer a fully-automated CheckStream Deposit Service if your business receives a lot of physical checks.
Earth Class Mail Details →
2. Traveling Mailbox
Cost: $15-$159 USD per month
Traveling Mailbox is another decent forwarding service with 5 plans to choose from depending on your needs. Like Earth Class Mail, all accounts include basic envelope scans, junk mail filtering, unlimited cloud storage and free mail shredding.
They have over 30 addresses around the US. Premium features like check deposits cost extra. There are additional fees if you go over your monthly limits. The service integrates with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox.
3. US Global Mail
Cost: $10-$20 USD per month
US Global Mail has been around since 1998, and they offer individual and family plans for short-term (monthly) or long-term (1-2 year) periods.
They offer free letter storage for 180 days, and free package storage for 30 days. Mail forwarding rates are quite affordable. One major downside is that they only offer one address location in Houston, Texas. This isn’t ideal if you need your address to match your state of residence.
Who Should Consider A Virtual Mailbox?
Long-Term Travelers
You’ve saved money for years, and are now planning your dream trip around the world. But who will take care of your mail? If you don’t want to burden family or friends with sorting your mail, a virtual mailbox is a perfect option.
Digital Nomads
Are you one of the 4.8 million Americans who now call themselves digital nomads? Technology has made the digital office a reality for many, and now you don’t have to be tied down by physical mail either.
RVers & Vanlifers
Living out of a vehicle like an RV or campervan poses a challenge to receiving your mail & packages, especially if you’re on the road. Forward your mail to the next RV campground you plan to stop at, no matter what state you’re driving through.
Expats
Are you living overseas in a foreign country with a travel-friendly job, but want to keep a physical mailing address in the US for billing, voting, and tax purposes? Sign up for a virtual mailing address in your former home state.
How To Set Up Mail Forwarding
To officially authorize your virtual mail service to receive mail on your behalf, you need to complete USPS Form 1583 and have it notarized.
Unless you’re signing up for Earth Class Mail, who offers free complimentary notarized online activation, you’ll need to get the form notarized in person.
Or if you’re already outside the United States — through an online notary service like NotaryCam (which only costs $25).
Where To Pick Up Your Mail
So, now that you have your virtual mailbox set up, where do you actually forward your mail if you’re living out of an RV or backpacking overseas?
Hotels
Some nicer hotels will let you forward mail and packages to them if you have a reservation there. The problem is timing your stay with when the mail will arrive. I’ve done this a few times. It’s safer to book a room for a least a few days.
Coworking Spaces
Many coworking spaces allow members to receive mail at the office. Again, you may need to sign up to become a member for a week, a month, etc.
Local Post Offices
Some post offices in foreign countries allow you to forward your mail to them, to be picked up later.
FedEx, UPS, DHL
It’s also possible to send packages to the local office of these popular shipping companies, where you can then pick it up when you arrive. You’ll need to ship it via their particular service though. I’d call ahead to let them know what you want to do, and ask how long they’ll hold your package for you.
Virtual Mailbox Tips & Advice
Reduce the amount of physical mail you generate by signing up for paperless billing and online statements. Opt out of credit card & insurance offers using https://www.optoutprescreen.com/
Many financial institutions require a physical mailing address and don’t allow PO boxes. Make sure to choose a plan accordingly.
When picking a virtual mailbox service, pay attention to the plan limits and figure out how much mail you think you’ll receive.
You might be able to reduce your state taxes by setting up residency in a state with no income tax. Pick a virtual address in that same state.
READ MORE DIGITAL NOMAD TIPS
I hope you enjoyed my guide to virtual mailbox services! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:
How To Start A Successful Travel Blog
Proof Of Onward Travel For Flying
My Best Travel Tips For Beginners
10 Great Compact Travel Cameras
How I Became An Irish Citizen
Have any questions about virtual mailbox services or mail forwarding while you travel? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
from Tips For Traveling https://expertvagabond.com/best-virtual-mailbox-service/
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Planning for full time RV Living
The following tips were vital to my husband and I creating a stable, enjoyable life filled with constant travel. While your exact needs may differ, these suggestions should be helpful regardless of your exact plans or preferences.
1. Set a Date
Before you dive into the details of this transition, you first need to set a departure date. I know that might sound a bit overzealous. After all, how do you know how long it will take to prepare for living in a camper full-time?
The truth is, you don’t. But if you don’t give yourself a deadline then there’s no real sense of urgency, and there’s a good chance you’ll still be talking about going on the road this time next year. A departure date makes all your planning more real, and certainly more urgent. And that is a great motivator for making this dream happen.
How much time you’ll need depends on your current lifestyle. For instance, if you own a home, then you first need to decide if you’re going to sell or rent it out, or keep it. If you decide to sell, you’ll have to prepare your house for sale, which can take quite some time depending on how much there is to do.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to set a “final” departure date. It’s often easier to create milestones for yourself. For example, you might want to set a specific date to buy your camper (if you don’t already own one). You can set a date to have your domicile (legal residency) state set up, a date for having your home completely decluttered and purged – you get the idea. The point here is to commit. Set a date, and get to work so you meet it.
2. Make a To-Do List
Your first to-do list is going to be long, but it helps to write down everything that needs your attention. Your first, simple to-do list might look something like this:
• Research campers • Research domicile residency • Start decluttering • Organize a garage sale • Research how to earn a mobile income • Research health care options • Research where to camp • Choose a mail service • Cancel utilities
Every to-do list is going to vary widely because each person’s situation is unique. To start, sit down and make a list of what it will take to uproot yourself and hit the road. As you cross items off your list and learn more about transitioning to full-time RV living, your list will grow longer and more detailed. More about RV Living : https://www.rvlivingusa.com/
3. Simplify
You will need to take daily steps to simplify your life and declutter your home. What you choose to get rid of will depend on your plans. For example, is your goal to travel for a year and then settle back down in a home somewhere? Do you want to put some things in storage in case living on the road doesn’t work out, or would you rather jump in with both feet and only keep what you’re taking with you in your RV?
Only you know the answers to these questions, so think carefully about what you want as you go through the process of decluttering. This level of decluttering can be draining and emotionally intense, especially if you decide to get rid of everything. However, it can also be incredibly liberating to pare down your things to the minimum.
• Schedule Time Daily for Decluttering and Simplifying. Even an hour a day will, day after day, make a big difference. • Focus on One Small Area at a Time. For example, one drawer, one shelf, or one wall of your closet. Keeping your focus on one small area at a time will help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Small areas also make it easier to see progress, which is important for staying motivated. • Make a Decision. Every time you pick something up, whether it’s a piece of china or a piece of paper, make a decision about it: keep, donate, or pitch. Don’t lay it down to think about later. Always make a decision. • Take a Picture of Your Donation Pile Before You Take It to the Thrift Store. This is another great way to remind yourself that you are making progress. • Have a Giveaway Party. Make decluttering fun by hosting a giveaway party. Invite neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues over to take what they like. Mark giveaway items with a green sticker. Use red stickers to mark the items that you’ve decided to keep. • Consider Renting a Storage Unit. Storage units are expensive, but they can help ease the pressure of the decluttering process, especially if you have a lot of family items you just can’t get rid of. Many full-timers start off renting a storage unit and, over months or years, return to it in the middle of their travels and slowly empty it out. Once you get on the road, you might find that your attachment to these things lessens over time.
Books like “The Joy of Less” can also help guide you through the process of simplifying and decluttering.
4. Outline Your Necessities
You’re going to wrestle with what you’ll need to take with you on the road. I promise that you will need far less than you think you do. And no matter how well you plan and analyze the things you take, you’re probably going to make mistakes; that’s part of the process.
Clothing
How much clothing you take will depend on where you expect to travel. Most full-time RVers follow the weather, meaning they head north or west during the summer, and south during the winter. Constantly living in a mild climate means you will need few thick and heavy clothes. For example, my wardrobe had to fit in a tiny closet. When we hit the road, I took:
• Five t-shirts • Two pairs of jeans • Two pairs of shorts • One pair of pajamas • Two button-up denim shirts • One sweatshirt • One wool sweater • One long-sleeved thermal • One raincoat • One denim jacket And that’s it. As scanty as that might seem, I found that I didn’t need more clothing than this. You might be able to get by with a small wardrobe or, if you have the space, you might want to take more with you.
The trick to putting together a workable RV wardrobe is to choose clothes that all look good together (so you can easily mix and match), and to choose clothes that you can easily layer if the need arises. Chances are, you only wear 20% (or less) of the clothes you have in your closet. Choose the pieces that you wear the most, and purge the rest.
Kitchen Tools and Dishes
Take a look at the tools you use most in your kitchen. Which of these items can’t you live without? Which will you have room for in your camper? You might be surprised at what you find you need (and what you don’t) when you start living in your RV. For example, I foolishly brought along our blender when we left, assuming I’d continue to make smoothies as I did at home. I didn’t use it once and ended up donating it a couple months later.
On the flip side, we bought a Crock-Pot a month into our trip because our camper didn’t have an oven, and we ended up using it three to four nights a week. We could plug it in outside and let it simmer all day. It was, surprisingly, one of our most useful kitchen tools, even though we’d rarely used one at home.
We met a full-time couple in Texas who brought along their bread machine, and used it daily. For them, freshly baked bread was a necessity, and their bread machine was worth the space. Another full-timer relied entirely on his InstaPot pressure cooker for fast, hot meals. So, your choices on what to take will be as individual as you are!
Remember, pulling a camper means it’s going to shake constantly when you’re driving. This shaking is equivalent to a constant, 3.4-magnitude earthquake. We took two glass plates and two glass bowls, for reheating food in the microwave, and we protected these with dish towels when we moved to a new spot. All of our other dishes were enameled steel “camp plates,” which we loved.
On the other hand, we met plenty of full-timers who had only glass dishes and cups, because this felt more like home for them. They packed them all up every time they moved and felt it was worth the effort.
Decorations
Campers have few spots for knickknacks and decorations, but RVs can also be notoriously sterile looking. You’re going to want to take some things to make your little home cozy and inviting. For example, use rugs to add color and soften up your space. Plants can also add life and vibrancy to your home, and help purify the air. I had two hanging plants in our minuscule camper, and they made the RV feel cozy.
We hated not having any art on the walls, so we ended up decoupaging small printouts of our favorite pieces right on the walls. You can also use 3M Command Strips to hang up prints or photos or invest in a digital picture frame. Remember, though, the shaking that a camper goes through while traveling can be intense, especially on bad roads. Quakehold is useful for securing things (like artwork and small plants) so they stay put.
You’ll also want to think about your outdoor space. Most full-timers spend a lot of time outside, and the “patio” is often the first thing to set up when you move to a new spot. Will you want a hammock? Folding chairs? A grill? Solar patio lights? A lightweight outdoor rug? We spent far more time on our patio than we did inside, and the outdoor furniture and decorations we had were worth the effort to take down and put up each time we moved.
5. Join RVing Clubs
There are several organizations that will help make living in an RV full-time easier. In addition to the great discounts on campgrounds, these clubs give you access to a wealth of valuable, insider information from people who are already living on the road. We learned a lot from forums before we left, so it’s well worth the investment to join a few months before your departure date.
• Escapees RV Club: We joined Escapees and found it to be well worth the $40 annual membership fee. You get great discounts at over 1,000 campgrounds (up to 50% off), a top-notch forum board, a job board exclusively for RVers, and access to their mail service. We used their mail service exclusively and never once had a problem. You can find more information about using a mail service here.
• Good Sam Club: With Good Sam, you get 10% off at over 2,100 campgrounds. Another huge perk is their gas discount; at Pilot or Flying J gas stations, you get five to eight cents off per gallon. That alone can quickly pay for the $27 annual membership fee. You also get up to 30% off at CampingWorld, and many other perks. • Passport America: With Passport America, you can save up to 50% at nearly 1,900 campgrounds in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The annual fee is $44. • Harvest Hosts: We didn’t know about Harvest Hosts when we were on the road, but I sure wish we did. Harvest Hosts put you in touch with farms, attractions, and wineries that will allow you to stay on their land for free, for one night, as long as you’re self-contained. This means they don’t provide hookups or restrooms. On the upside, you get a unique, beautiful, quiet place to camp, for free. The annual membership fee is $44.
Before you join any club, pay close attention to the fine print. Many campgrounds won’t give club discounts on weekends or holidays. And, you should look at which campgrounds are part of each club’s network. Randomly pick some that are on routes that you would like to travel.
Are these places that you would realistically want to stay? What amenities do they offer? (Don’t dismiss how much you’ll appreciate any campground having a washer and dryer on the premises!)
These are four of the most popular RV clubs, but there are dozens, if not a hundred or more, out there. You can find a comprehensive list of RV clubs here.
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JUNEAU, Alaska | US House hopeful for Alaska seat has never been to the state
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JUNEAU, Alaska | US House hopeful for Alaska seat has never been to the state
JUNEAU, Alaska — Carol Hafner is on the Democratic primary ballot for an Alaska U.S. House seat.
She doesn’t live in Alaska. In fact, she’s never been to the state. Hafner, who listed New Jersey and South Dakota addresses in her candidate filing, says she’s serious about running, though she doesn’t plan to campaign in person. Democratic officials are questioning her authenticity and political affiliation.
Under the U.S. Constitution, to serve in Congress one must meet age and citizenship requirements and inhabit the state at the time elected. Generally, Alaska candidates in such races are from the state. But not always.
In 2014, a New York man, who has run in other states, challenged then-U.S. Sen. Mark Begich in Alaska’s Democratic primary and got crushed.
It happens elsewhere, too: In Wyoming, also in 2014, an Arizona man whose campaign consisted almost entirely of sock-puppet videos, won the Democratic nomination for U.S. House — unopposed — but lost to incumbent Republican Rep. Cynthia Lummis in the general election.
“You may have a right to run, doesn’t mean you’re going to be well-received, or it’s going to be an easy campaign for you,” said Jay Parmley, executive director of the state Democratic party. “If you’re not from somewhere, that’s a pretty tall order.”
Hafner faces long odds and has focused her attention online, where she boasts a comparable number of Twitter followers to those of the highest-profile candidates: Democrat Dimitri Shein and independent Alyse Galvin. Independents who want Democratic support can run in the party primary.
Shein and Galvin have been campaigning and participating in spirited debates ahead of the Aug. 21 primary. Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young faces little-known opponents in his primary. Hafner listed on her candidacy filing a home and mailing address in New Jersey. She also listed an address at a mail-drop location in South Dakota popular with RVers and others with more transient lifestyles as her campaign contact on Alaska’s website listing of candidates. Public records show property and voter registration records for Hafner in New Jersey.
The New Jersey addresses match those used by Eric Hafner during a failed run as a Democrat in an Oregon U.S. House primary earlier this year, which caught the attention of Julie Olsen, an Anchorage Democratic party leader. She said she was worried that Eric Hafner had “hijacked” Carol Hafner’s identity and created an online persona to file for office. Olsen supports Shein.
Hafner, 64, said Eric Hafner is her son. She said he also ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for a U.S. House seat in Hawaii in 2016. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful. The Associated Press reached out to Carol Hafner via the email listed as her campaign contact. She responded by phone. Hafner said she travels extensively and considers South Dakota her base. She said she has been in New Jersey for a family illness but is “on my way out.”
She felt compelled to run to share her perspective on the environment, including climate change, education, health care and other issues. Hafner said she was stunned that Alaskans have kept Young in office for 45 years.
“I want to do good in a place that I feel a kinship for,” she said. She said she’s angry that Olsen has been “playing Nancy Drew” and questioning her run.
People must pull together to solve problems, Hafner said. “Don’t lock me out just because I’m not a homeboy,” she said, adding later: “You ought to be thankful that I care enough and I’m interested enough and passionate enough to want to make things better.” “I’m certainly permitted to do what I have done,” she said.
The Division of Elections said challenges to Hafner’s candidacy by Parmley and Olsen were received after the protest deadline passed. The division said Hafner properly filed to run, a process that includes submitting a $100 filing fee, and it had no reason to question the veracity of her candidacy.
Olsen said she’d like to see changes to the process, such as having a candidate file in person or provide a phone number or copy of their driver’s license. Kimberly Slone, of Wasilla, found out about Hafner by Googling candidates.
Slone said she sent Hafner via email questions about the Arctic National Wildlife and found that she opposes drilling there, as does Slone. “I thought how audacious of her to run for election in Alaska,” Slone said.
She donated to Hafner’s campaign, but Slone said she’s not sure who will get her vote. It doesn’t matter to her if a candidate lives outside Alaska “as long as the candidate shows up to campaign and is knowledgeable about the state and will move here as required.” Suzanne Hudson, an antique shop owner in Juneau, said she hasn’t been paying much attention to the race but bristled at the idea of an outsider weighing in on Alaska issues.
“If you don’t live in the state and don’t know what’s going on personally, you should stay out of it, because you could be making a law or a rule that’s going to really hurt a lot of people, even though it’s your opinion that it’s going to be better,” she said. ____ Researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York and reporter Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, contributed to this report.
By Associated Press
#Alaska#alaska news#Arizona#Carol Hafner#Cynthia Lummis#election#Election House Alaska#House Alaska#Jay Parmley#JUNEAU#JUNEAU news#Mark Begich#State#TodayNews#us house#US House hopeful for Alaska seat#Wyoming
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How to Find a Good RV Park?

The right way of using your recreational vehicles or RV is to take it out in the open and explore what your country has to offer. For the past hundred years, RVs made such a huge development from being the European styled wagons to now 40ft luxury motor coaches which is complete with every amenity that you can find in a modern home. But many are wondering, where to bring their RV.
When searching for RV park either for temporary or long term stay, the following paragraphs can help you know the things that you should be aware of, which works perfectly if you want to see how life is on the road or if you're a frequent RVer. Check out lake okeechobee or find the best lake okeechobee rv parks.
Number 1. What type of equipment you own - you have to know your equipment prior to heading out. It is not important if you have a towable, motorized, park-model or specialty RV, if you are uncertain of the RV park or campground can accommodate your RV, then it will render useless.
Number 2. What services and amenities you need - RVers have this tendency to share sense of freedom as well as adventure upon extended travel. For this reasons, there are some inevitable inconveniences that might be dealt with as a result of constant change in location. While most contemporary RV parks strive hard to lessen these things, there aren't two campgrounds remain the same. You then have to check the amenities and services offered often before deciding which one brings the most impact.
Utility hookup - a big number of RV parks are offering full electric, sewer and water hookups but still, it is great to double check it before arrival or booking.
Internet access - there are growing number of campgrounds and parks that include such feature in their service. Much like hotels, you might not get free Wi-Fi instead, pay a small fee to access the web. If you are working remotely or need internet access perhaps, then be sure that this is available and at what cost.
Mail service - if you plan to extend your trip on road, then you might like to have the mail held and delivered to wherever you will be going. However, please keep in mind that majority of the short-term parks aren't accepting mail.
Long term leasing - conventional RV parks usually limit the RV's stay anywhere between 10 days to 2 weeks. During summer season, several parks are extending the lease up to a month. Remember that this all lies on the location and if you are decided to stay for a month, know how much the rate is going to be. Continue read more about RV parks here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-t-miller/rv-travel-tips-for-beginners_b_4168089.html.
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HOW TO FILL A RAISED HUGELKULTURE BED
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About Dirtpatcheaven: We are a little Idaho family of four living our dream of self reliance whether traveling the country filming other freedom dreamers or living the dream ourself in a little offgrid cabin we finished ourselves. To introduce ourselves we are Julianne (me), Jon (hubby), Paige (my big girl) and Kaia (the baby). We have had a whirlwind adventure the last few years whether we are homesteading, traveling the country in an rv, or living offgrid in a tiny house.
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Photo by Mallory Culbert
I was fortunate enough to meet Travis, Lauren and their road captain George back in the early spring of 2014. They had set up shop at my work and I was immediately drawn to their vintage camper and all the amazing artwork,vintage,makers and designers they had packed into that beautiful Airstream. I was able to have a quick conversation with both Travis and Lauren and I picked their brain a little bit just about life on the road and how they make things work while living on the road for the past few years. It was kinda crap weather in Chicago while they were here so they didn't get to stay open as much as they wanted and they left a day or two after we spoke, I figured that was probably the last time I would see them or we might cross paths somewhere down the line.
At this point and time, Stef and I had been talking about leaving Chicago and finding a home in another state. Southern California was an option, Long Beach to be exact, and we were actually both kind of excited about it. As the summer pushed on and we thought more and more about it we came up with the grand idea to take a road trip to figure out exactly where we wanted to live and that ended up snowballing into finding a camper trailer that we could live in, travel, and search for dream destination to live. A few months after I had met Small Room Collective we had found the Frolic and we couldn't be more excited to get in and get to work on it!
A few short days after we got our camper I heard news that Travis, Lauren, and George were back in town and posted up at our sister restaurant a few miles away. I think I was supposed to meet up with Stef when I had gotten off work that day but I completely spaced it do to the fact I was filled with complete joy that Small Room Collective was back in town. I had to see them and tell them our master plan, I had to ask them a million stupid questions on how they make it work, I had to know exactly what Stef and I were getting ourselves into first hand from people that have been doing this for two years now!!! I probably rode my bike way faster than I should have over there and might have made a complete fool of myself acting like a little school girl but they were both very sweet and were genuinely excited for Stef and I once I told them our plan. I remember texting Stef that she had to come over and meet them if it was the last thing she did, she now understood why I wasn't answering my phone and really wasn't that mad at me. After a few beers on the patio Stef arrived and the 4 of us sat there and talked for some time,it was amazing just hearing their stories and all the valuable information they have collected after being on the road for so long. It was getting late so we decided that we were going to take off and before we left Travis and I exchanged numbers, I don't think he intended for me to use that number as much as I have with my million questions I've asked over the past 9 months but Stef and I very grateful for all their help and support over these last few months. Travis and I now talk every few days now that we are about 1 month away from being in the camper and we have made some good plans to meet up this July and do a little bit of traveling together on the east coast. We are very fortunate to call Travis, Lauren and George our friends with only have actually hung out twice in our lives, haha. But that's what is so special about this whole community of full-time travelers,rvers,weekend warriors or whatever you want to call us. Every person we have met (or have never actually met in person) has been more than supportive and some of the sweetest humans I have ever come in contact with.
Here's a quick interview Stef came up with for Travis and Lauren, just a couple questions that racked our brains leading up to our departure and that we found might be helpful to our readers. So thank you guys very much for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to answer our questions and we look forward to seeing you very soon!
What is your background or education?
Travis:
Grew up in Georgia, became an orphan at 16. He went on to study product design at Georgia Tech, enrolling his final year of high school. After working in various roles launching medical & consumer products, as well as exhibits, , he moved to Los Angeles and obtained an MA in Theology and the Arts. He then worked a short stint in the IT world in Los Angeles, meeting Lauren and then moving to Mobile, AL. Then we got hitched and after living 2 years in Austin doing Design, we left and to travel. He built out the trailer in a couple weeks and continues to be our logistical captain.
Lauren:
Grew up in Texas and was a tomboy who liked the color pink. Her favorite babysitters were old women who lived on her block named Rosemary and Sue Ellen, plus Madeline who did not live on her block. You could commonly find her on a rope swing over a creek, with her basset hound Henrietta, running out in some field, or dressed up in a costume. She left Texas to study creative writing in California and then decided that she would go to nursing school in Alabama. She now is a travel nurse part of the year, does some freelance and personal writing, and co-runs Small Room Collective. She is a hair-brained-scheme type of person that likes to break it down on the dance floor and loves a good adventure.
George:
Found on the streets of Pflugerville, TX (just north of Austin), George came in our lives like a lightning bolt upon finding him at Town Lake Animal Shelter (now Austin Pets Alive). He loves deeply and sleeps even more so, but he's a hard working shop dog that loves every bit of attention he receives.
What inspires your work?
We're always looking for the transcendent or grandiose in the miniscule. Knowing that the smallest of things have value, and we hope to connect and promote that. The opportunity to constantly discover. So many gems out there
George, Travis and Laurens 10 1/2 lab hound mix co-pilot.
What does your camper look like?
Its like a large shiny piece of aluminum with wheels. A chrome exhaust pipe with wheels! :)
What do you pull it with?
Sprinter Van 2500 - 144" wheelbase.
How do you guys get your mail?
Mail has been tricky for us. Lots of difficulty, especially with tolls and those kinds of things. Lauren's mom sends it to us in bulk a few times a year.
Do you belong to any camper or RV organizations?
We're only official members of Harvest Hosts. However we've found such a community of travelers out there. We're not organized, but if we had to pick a leader I think Dan of @malimishairstream is the mayor.
Whats your favorite place to camp?
Coastal, desert and any where free, including friends' driveways, farms, wineries, etc. Getting off the beaten path and boondocking in the middle of nowhere is awesome. But because we find ourselves in urban areas a lot for setting up the shop/gallery, we love being in the middle of metropoli with Bob (the trailer) and George anywhere we can fit (without people complaining).
How do you make a living?
Through our Small Room Collective Road Emporium which is a mobile Shop/Gallery+ our other pursuits. Lauren writes,Travis does design work of all kinds. Lauren also works as a RN on a contract, typically in the winter.
Lauren, or what i tell Travis he should call her, "The Boss"
What do you use for Wifi, phone, insurance?
We have a hotstpot with Verizon. We have 2 phones on that plan as well. Insurance we have an agreed upon value with Nationwide for the Airstream. The Healthcare exchanges, despite our hopes,was a bust. It has been a mess and we opt not to participate anymore.
How long have you been doing this?
With the trailer, we are just starting our 3rd year. We've been traveling for 4.5 years.
Describe the hardest day you have had on the road.
Hmmm. Boy, we've had some tough ones for sure.... trying to get into NYC became a 5 hour ordeal due to having propane tanks on the trailer and not being able to cross certain tunnels and bridges only on the top level--instead of a 30 minute ordeal which is what Google maps indicated;when George got bitten by several ticks and got really sick last summer, and we had to coordinate vet appointments with moving from city to city; being on the toad and learning that we've lost people we love. Lots of hard moments, but that happens in life. Luckily we are adaptable and somehow figure out how to keep the wheels spinning.
Describe the most rewarding day you have had on the road
Everyday we meet cool people, and we know its an especially good day when going to sleep we feelit and know, "this is why we do this".
Who travels with you?
Just us, our 10.5 year old lab hound mix George & around 70 makers + shakers (via their good and art work).
Travis,Lauren,George and there 1963 Airstream.
You can visit thier website at www.smallroomcollective.com or give them a follow on Twitter and Instagram @smallroomcollective. Also Travis has an amazing company out of the camper he calls his "Mobile Motorcycle Exploratorium" called Hardy Bros Moto. Check them out atwww.hardybrosmotoworks.com and Instagram @hardybrosmotoworks and Twitter @hardybrosmoto
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