What About Mail…

This is one of the many things we learned from fellow travelers (thanks Peg and Ernie!)

First of all, use the paperless email option for all the bills you will continue to receive, credit cards, insurance, etc.

Then the best way to manage your mail when you are on the road is to sign up for a virtual post office service.  These services provide you with an address, receive your mail and immediately send you an email with a photo-scan of the front of the envelope.  Then you can decide if you want the service to:

• toss the mail,
• open it, scan the contents and post this on your password secure account page,
• set it aside to be mailed to you at any address you provide.

Cool, huh?  There are many services that do this.  You can do your own research.  We used Virtual Post Mail.

The most complicated part of setting up a virtual post box is interacting with the United State Postal Service. To protect folks from mail fraud, you need to complete a USPS form that must be notarized.  The service that you select will lead you through this process and then assign you an address in the US to receive your mail. Ours is in California.

IMPORTANT! Be sure to change the address for your credit cards and other bills to your new virtual postal service.  You’ll need this address to be able to make on-line purchases. And remember the zip code.  You’ll need that for at-the-pump gas purchases.

Managing Money…

It’s easier than ever to manage your money when you are on the road.  We all have access to our bank accounts on line, and most of us can make deposits by taking a picture of a check. If your bank does not offer this service, fire them and switch to one that does.

Set up your social security checks, and retirement income to directly deposit into your account if you have not done so already.

We use USAA thanks to Ron’s service during the Viet Nam war.

In addition, we set up our investments with an investment manager and keep in touch by phone or email.  We can also track all our investments on-line.

A Few Words About Packing…

The most important thing about packing is choosing your suitcases.  Yeah, that’s right I said suitcases, NOT back packs.

Back in the 80’s we would haul all our stuff around on our backs.  In fact, we still see young folks doing this. Why, I ask you, would I do that to my bulging-disc-back now that suitcases are light, have four wheels and long, retractable handles?!

We are now older and wiser.  Each of us has one piece of luggage that is larger and a smaller, carry on size bag.  The reason I carry two pieces is because of the many seasons we will experience and also, well… I have a thing for shoes!  But hey, shoes are SUPER important when you are travelling. At least that’s what I tell Ron.

I picked a bag that had a ten year warranty on it.  And further, one that the manufacturer swears they will replace or repair for me anywhere.  We’ll see how that works…

My bags both have four wheels on them so they will sit up securely balanced when not being used.  Four wheels also allows them to be dragged either side-ways or front-ways.

Sadly, every airline seems to have its own requirements for baggage size and weight.  There was an attempt to make this uniform internationally but, well, if folks can’t agree on the important stuff like how to cooperate with each other, how the hell are they gonna agree on uniform luggage requirements…

I’m not going to tell you here what clothing, and other things to bring along.  That’s different for all of us.  But I will tell you my rule about buying new things on the road: a new piece in, an old piece out.  If I simply cannot bear to donate or throw away the old item, I’ll send it to my sister, Trudee, back in the States to store it for me. (Did I mention this, Trudee? Um, thanks!)

Housing Suggestions…

We’ll be travelling over the next 300 days almost entirely with AirBnb.  Plus a few Flip Key rentals and a few locally secured furnished rentals.

Traveling this way is far cheaper than hotels.  And, most importantly, it puts you right in real neighborhoods and not in tourist hotel zones.  We are, mostly, spending the same amount we would have spent on rent or mortgage in the states. But in some places (Europe) we are getting a lot less for our money while in others (Mexico) we are getting far more bang for our buck than in the states.

The other advantage of both AirBnb and Flip Key is that all utilities are included.  We chose to rent entire homes and apartments with fully equipped kitchens.  Outside of the states, we have selected places located where we can walk to shopping, restaurants and catch public transit.

When we are in a place for a longer time, we plan to rent a car periodically to get “the lay of the land”, do a large grocery shop, or visit a place a little too far for public transportation.

IMPORTANT: Carry a credit card that will provide you with rental car auto damage and/or liability insurance.  We carry American Express and Discover.  And don’t assume that its automatically a part of your credit card services.  We had to call and set this service up with American Express.

Medications…

If you’ve made it to 60, chances are you are taking some medications.  We are.

I still use a small local pharmacy because I have for the past 15 years and they greet me by name.  I want to keep giving them my business and they want it, so they worked hard to help me.  For our test run to Mexico last year, my pharmacist was able to get me four months worth of  each of my medications for me to bring along.   It’s called a Loss Over-ride in pharma-speak.

Technically, we needed to carry prescriptions from our doctors to justify flying into the country with a crap-ton of meds. But we didn’t and no one asked.  But if you are the nervous type, best carry those scripts with you.

Yes, a lot of what you are taking may be available in some countries without a prescription. If you are inclined to do that, go for it.

My plan for the next 300 days is to have my prescriptions filled and sent to my Virtual Post Mail box and then have Virtual Post Mail ship to me where ever I am.  I’ll let you know how that works out.

ATTENTION: This is phenomenally BAD advice. We are experimenting with other options. Stay tuned!

Ron, on the other hand, uses an on-line pharmacy. He will also use the Virtual Post Mail address.

Stay tuned…

Health Insurance…

Since I am only 60 (I love adding that “only”…) I am not on Medicare yet and have signed up with ObamaCare.  I also carry our 22 year old on the plan.

I am a fervent ObamaCare supporter and owe my early retirement to the program.  It does have some room for improvement, however. Last year I had to create a spread sheet to compare the plans. Oy.

Of course, there is no international coverage on my plan so I will be buying an international travel plan before we leave the country.  Most plans offer ex-pat coverage and 90 coverage for travelers.  Neither of these quite fits us, so I will be doing the research over the next 60 days and will let you know what I learn.

Check Back Here in a little for more information (as we learn it) on:

• Cell Phones
• VPNs
• Streaming Entertainment or How to Watch March Madness