How to stop mail when you go on vacation

The joys of going on vacation! Here are some ways to stop mail from accumulating while you're away:

  1. Suspend Mail Delivery: Contact your local post office or USPS website to request a "Vacation Hold" on your mail. They'll hold your mail for up to 30 days. You can also request that they forward your mail to a different address.
  2. Use a Mailbox Lock: If you have a mailbox with a lock, you can lock it before you leave to prevent mail from being delivered. Just make sure to give a trusted neighbor or friend a key in case of an emergency.
  3. Redirect Your Mail: Use the USPS "Hold Mail" service to redirect your mail to a different address. You can do this online or by visiting your local post office.
  4. Use a Mail Forwarding Service: Companies like General Mail Forwarding or Mail Forwarding Service can forward your mail to a temporary address while you're away.
  5. Notify Your Bank and Credit Card Companies: Inform your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans to prevent any issues with transactions or account activity.
  6. Stop Newspaper and Magazine Subscriptions: Contact your newspaper and magazine subscriptions to suspend delivery while you're away.
  7. Use a Mailbox Rental Service: If you're going to be away for an extended period, consider renting a mailbox from a company like Mailboxes Etc. or UPS Store. They'll hold your mail and forward it to you when you need it.
  8. Ask a Neighbor to Collect Your Mail: If you have a trusted neighbor, you can ask them to collect your mail and hold it for you until you return.

Remember to also take care of any other services that may be affected by your absence, such as:

By taking these steps, you'll be able to enjoy your vacation without worrying about accumulating mail and bills.