When we FIREd, I filed a permanent change of address because we anticipated our home being a rental for 4-5 years while we traveled. Then due to some positive financial news, we were able to move back after 13 months. I received a notice that the forwarding expired after 12 months, so I thought we would now be able to get mail back at our original address.
Wrong! All mail now is being returned to sender with a note that forwarding has expired. Those senders that pay for address corrections are being given the old forwarding address. I can't cancel the forwarding address because it has expired in the USPS system. I'm having to guess who might be sending me things and chase them down via phone and email. We nearly had our umbrella insurance cancelled because I didn't get the bill.
I've been in to the local post office twice, filled out a new rural route delivery form, and a new change of address routing back to the original address. But since we used a private mail forwarding business as our address while traveling, the USPS system won't allow forwarding from that address. I've also filed a complaint with the USPS Consumer Affairs office and they've opened a case.
I'm wondering if anyone in this community has any advice for me. Half the time when I try to explain my situation, the USPS person just stares at me blankly like I'm nuts. Maybe I'm not using the right terminology? I need them to figure out what computer they've got my forwarding in and cancel/delete it.
Also, advice for anyone else planning on traveling post-FIRE. If you plan on ever returning to the same address, just do the temporary change of address and give it an end date. The max is 12 months, but at least it ends. Also, if you plan to use a mail forwarding service, know that the USPS will not let you do a change of address from that service back to a residential address later on. You will have to notify all senders yourself.
