How I Get Mail While Living in a Car
One of the most common questions I get about living out of a vehicle concerns mail. They are curious how I get mail and packages without a fixed address. People living in regular homes and apartments take mail for granted. Mail is delivered to your mailbox, and packages are delivered to your doorstep.
This level of convenience isn’t possible for vehicle dwellers. But the good news is there are plenty of options available. They range from getting a PO box or a UPS mailbox, using a friend’s or relative’s address, using USPS general delivery, getting a mail forwarding service, or using services like Amazon Lockers for package deliveries. There are a variety of ways to receive mail and packages depending on your needs and circumstances.
I chose to sign up for a UPS mailbox because it works best for my current situation. I don’t travel much since I still have a full-time office job. Being located primarily in one area most of the time means receiving all my mail and packages at a UPS store is the easiest and most convenient.
When you get a mailbox at The UPS Store, you get an actual street address, not a P.O. Box number. Another reason why I chose UPS is that it accepts packages from all carriers, and I get an email notification when a package is delivered. I also like the fact that I have 24/7 access to my mailbox.
The UPS Store offers various mailbox sizes. I went with the smallest one because don’t receive much mail. It is also the cheapest. I pay every six months. Each six-month period is $132, or $22 per month. It is more expensive than a PO box, but I like the extra features I get with a UPS mailbox.
The process of getting a UPS mailbox is relatively quick and easy. You need two forms of identification with only one requiring a photo ID. All UPS store locations are individually owned and operated, so cost will vary by location.
Another nice feature is the UPS store offers mail-forwarding services. It’s not something I’ve ever had to use, but it’s nice to have that option should I ever need it. They also offer mail-holding services for mailbox holders. The UPS Store can hold your mail until you return from a long trip or vacation.
Another important aspect of receiving mail and packages while living in a vehicle is significantly reducing the amount of physical mail I receive. Banking, insurance, paying bills, monitoring credit cards, and almost everything you can think of can be done online.
By switching to electronic billing and statements, I can receive all my credit card bills, bank statements, and medical bills electronically rather than in the mail. In addition, paying bills online is more secure and can be more convenient than paying by mail. Some of my bills are set up via autopay. Switching to online bill pay can save you a decent amount on postage while decluttering your mailbox. It’s a win-win situation.
I also want to reduce unwanted mail and advertising. DMAchoice is a nonprofit organization that helps reduce promotional mail offers from companies with which you do not have a business relationship. Signing up for the service requires a $5 fee and lasts for 10 years.
A lot of junk mail comes from banks offering credit cards, loans, and other financial services. You can opt out of receiving these offers for five years or permanently at OpOutPrescreen.com. This service is free.
Minimizing junk mail has been crucial to effectively filter out unwanted mail, reducing the influx of unsolicited catalogs and advertisements. Because I take care of most things online and don’t get much junk mail, I only stop by my mailbox about once a week.
Being a hardcore minimalist, I don’t order much stuff online. I can get most of what I need from local brick-and-mortar stores, minimizing the number of packages I need to pick up. I’ve had this service for over a year, and it has been a good fit for my current lifestyle.
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I have lived in my car since August 2023. You can follow my adventures on Facebook and Instagram