planning for 2026

I’m moving up the logistical tasks that I’d planned for later in the year.

I’ll be turning 60 and that milestone makes a difference in some programs in my domicile, Texas. One of the tasks is moving my mail to Escapees.

base membership

I have no particular desire for membership perks (discounts! ezine! events!) but a yearly membership is required to get the mail services (see below).

mailing services

Previously I was using iPostal1 as a mailing address for mail forwarding and the ability to see a scan of each envelope online. It cost $99/yr but required me to keep a separate residential address (I used a family member’s address with their permission, as allowed by KYC and other laws).

To get the same mail forwarding/scanning service would cost ≥$280/year at Escapees. Here’s why:

1. the scanning service is $100/year
2. but it requires at least a Category B mail service plan ($130/year)
3. which requires a membership ($50/year)

I can’t justify $280/year so I am setting up the minimal experience: basic mail forwarding totaling $160/year¹ ($50 membership + $110 Category A mail service)

the value proposition for my use case

So why pay more for what appears to be less? Because the mail forwarding service isn’t the whole picture. This approach gets me:

• a legal residential address the same as the mailing address…
• where I would be the sole resident…²
• in a smaller county (Polk, theoretically lower insurance and inspection rates, and I wouldn’t have to drive back to Texas for smog checks)
• having forwarding service by people who understand the logistical challenges faced by nomads
• and having the Escapees lobbyists reminding lawmakers that nomads really do exist.

update Mar 19

• vet status confirmed in their system.
• got the forms notarized and mailed out

When I get assigned a PMB I’ll start moving over DL/CHL, financial accounts, etc.

update Mar 26

ally

Ally rejected the Escapee’s address. To their credit they offered to accept it if there was a next of kin w/physical address listed. That is how the Patriot Act-inspired rules is supposed to work.

registration

Used my new address to successfully register the van online.

comments

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1. theoretically $152 if the 5% veterans discount is approved ↩

2. having no other members in the household makes be eligible for SNAP benefits in Feb 2026. Depending on the amount of the benefit the savings in food costs could be substantial. I have more to say on this topic but I’ll wait until the time gets a little closer ↩