Hi,

Does anyone know how you manage your financial affairs if you decide to up sticks and take a 6 month tour of the world? I mean, if you sell up and leave what do you do with all your bank statements, credit card statements, tax letters, etc?

Does anyone have any experience of this?

I am thinking of taking 6 months out to figure out who I am and what I am going to do with the rest of my life since my Mum passed on but as I have no other family, and once I sell my Mum's house no home, what do I about all that paperwork that comes through my door?

Thanks,

TMT.

When I did that they were some of the best 6 months I ever spent. Mail went to parents, only had to ask them to open one thing, kept track of finances over the net. In your case, is a trusted friend out of the question?

How about getting a POBox address? Although i'm not sure if banks would take that as a valid address.

OR: An easier way would be to pay royal mail to redirect your mail to somewhere of your choice (although has to be in the UK I think).

I think I'd probably go for the trusted friend option too, as if there's anything important, at least they can open it for you. Failing that, however...

I haven't used the service, but looked into it earlier this year - Royal Mail will hold your mail for up to 2 months at a time - I know this isn't long enough for a 6 month trip - but maybe you could arrange for 3 lots of 2 months in advance at the local sorting office/post office...

Royal Mail Keepsafe Service

They'll also forward your mail onto another Post Office with the Post Restante service - but you need to know where you're going to be so you can pick it up!! (which can be a challenge if you're just packing and going wherever the mood/wind takes you...)

It could be long shot, but you could combine the two services, and after 2 months get everything sent post restante, and then repeat the process till you're ready to come home (although you may not have much ability to deal with the paperwork from abroad/you may not want to carry it around with you if it gets sent to you... that or you send it all back to yourself...and half the point of getting away is to get away from all that post!).

Hope this helps - have a great time.