We are not fulltimers, but will soon be on the road more than at home. We have many trips planned over the next year with only some short breaks back to the SB house. Our last 2 months trip ended with a pile of bills and even credit card companies calling over late payments.
So we need to figure out how to have the income checks deposited and the bills paid without us touching envelopes and stamps but have no idea how to get started. We have several income checks that arrive each month and some that arrive every quarter. Insurance renewals and bills come at different times year round and then there are the property tax bills at the end of the year, the gardner, professional dues, pest control, etc.
I would appreciate it if you folks would tell me where to begin and please be specific. Neither of us are comfortable with online banking as we have never done it and are not the most computer savvy people. Nor do we like the idea of giving any company direct, unimpeded access to our existing accounts, we want to see the bills before they are paid - for errors etc. What do you do when you are on the road and it is time to sign the roll-overs on the CD's?
Neither of us has ever owned an ATM card and do not want one now. How do you get cash while on the road?
I have about 6 weeks to get this all together. Will it be enough time?
PS: I suppose we will need to figure out how to get WiFi. As a techno-dinosaur, even this is a mystery to me. Most of our time is spent in northern Canada, if it makes a difference in the WiFi issue.
Talk to your bank. They should have you up and running in no time. It is amazing what they can do now!
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The short answer is to open a checking account and you will receive a debit/credit card with the account.
One the debit card can be used for groceries and getting extra cash back while on the road ( x on the atm's they charge you)
Have your income checks automatically deposited.
And as I just learned from forum members.....set up a bill payment program with you bank. You pick when and how much is paid on each bill and the bank does it for you.
Quite honestly I don't know any better way than getting a laptop and usb internet service while on the road to pay bills and keep tabs on your bank accounts. My first time out just to Florida for the winter I did not have any of the above in place and almost immediately ran into trouble money wise/payments.
Gee.....how 'did' our ancestors back before computers were invented ever manage to full-time.
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I would "ditto" everything "Rockhillmanor" has suggested: debit card, automatic deposit of income checks, and talk to your bank about getting your bills paid. I would also suggest that you find a good mail forwarding service, and plan to have things sent to wherever you are every once in awhile. But, if you really want to live this lifestyle, you may have to "just get over it" in regard to your hesitations about some things such as online banking, a debit card, etc. However, there are people who have been living this life for more than 20 years, back when none of those things were available; maybe, they'll have some suggestions for you . . . if any of them are on this forum.
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One of my banks,(Suntrust)no endorsement just sharing. Has an option where companies can send you your statement electronically through the on line bill pay system. I have not tried it but my son who uses Bank of America has it too.
Now most all utility, credit card, insurance and some taxing authorities all want you to let them send their statements via email. Saves them money.
Heck, even with my small business, I offer a $2.00 discount if you will let me send your invoice via email or fax. You have to pay on time. I figure that by the time I pay my biller to print it, fold it, stuff it in an envelope, provide a return envelope, and pay postage. I may be coming out better.
Give electronic a try, once you use it a month or two, you will wonder how you ever did without it. Also, no postage cost! Sweet!
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You can set up for your bills to be paid automatically through your credit card. This way your creditors do not have access to your checking account, it is "filtered" through your credit card. If you have access to internet just check your credit card bill online and if all charges seem accurate, pay the bill online. If you are uncomfortable with online then call the credit card company's 800 number near the time your bill is due. They can tell you your balance, recent charges, etc. and then give them your checking acct. routing # and account # and they will pull the money for your bill. But honestly, if you ever give online bill paying a try you will be so happy. You are much more likely to be "ripped off" with a regular check in the mailbox than online. Oh, one more suggestion - chose a bank that has branches around the country.
StanleyandIris wrote: Neither of us are comfortable with online banking as we have never done it and are not the most computer savvy people. Nor do we like the idea of giving any company direct, unimpeded access to our existing accounts, we want to see the bills before they are paid - for errors etc.
Neither of us has ever owned an ATM card and do not want one now. How do you get cash while on the road?
You are really boxing your self into a corner.
The last issue first. Without an ATM card, you will be screwed getting cash unless your bank has a branch where you are traveling. Try walking into a strange bank to get a check cashed. ATM cards are simple to use and you should overcome this one hurdle.
I allow my utility companies to automatically draft my checking account, this is not a problem. But if you are uncomfortable with that, then mail forwarding is your answer.
Have all your mail sent to a mail forwarding service. You no longer will receive every day mail at your home address, but everything is sent to the mail forwarding address. As you travel, call the mail forwarding service and tell them where you will be, and they will send your mail there. Then, go over your bills, write checks and mail them. Since you do not want to use a computer and on line bill pay, this is your only choice.
I use Alernative Resources in Sioux Falls, SD as my mail forwarder. They have been flawless in the 7 years I have used them. Call them at 1-800-477-2664 and tell them PMB #1293 referred you.
I've never seen ANY credit card company that did not offer automatic payments directly from your checking account. MOST other companies also have this service. I believe that we have only two creditors that we have to pay by other means and for those we use our bank which offers a free "bill payer service" where we can set up what payments we want made on a regular basis and they make them, again directly from our checking account.
ATM is essential for getting the BEST exchange rate in Canada and the EASIEST way to get money.
We get all our statements online
Reminders of payment dates by email
We pay Credit Cards online direct from our brokerage account with a few clicks.
I get an email confirmation that a payment has been scheduled.
I get an email confirmation when the payment is received.
Recurring monthly bills ie; Satellite internet, Cellphone are automatic pay from Credit Card.
CD's? I deal with banks like Bank America, and Fidelity Brokerage that have Internet capabilities. Rollover, change, transfer funds where I want ALL online or with a toll free phone call.
If/when forms need to be signed, I either download the forms, sign and mail OR wait for my mail and then sign and mail.
I can find the best rates online and transfer funds to open an account, purchase a CD with no problems and no delays.
We spend our Summers in Canada and have been taking care of business as fulltimers for most of the last 35 years.
We use Escapees for mail forwarding and they do a GREAT job.
Legal documents or Federal stuff goes to our son. Anything that needs immediate attention he scans it emails it and I have it in my hands the day it came ANYWHERE I am.
I can do all of that in less time than it took me to write this.....it just takes a bit of planning and some computer skills.
Oh one other thing is that we don't worry about statements as we deal with rputable companies and IF there is an error, we will find it when we see the statement and they WILL correct it every time.
As for trusting online banking... How do you think Banking is done worldwide? Answer: Online
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