Sarasota FL
After reviewing our massive to-do list, we realized that Florida residency was going to take the longest, so we tackled it first. I started by calling the Good Sam’s mail service. A wonderful woman, Tena, runs that office and explained the whole process to me. As a result, I had a tidy list of sub-tasks and a new mailing address.
A history side-note: The Good Samaritan Club (Good Sam’s) started years and years ago, soon after automobiles became popular. People tricked out their cars for camping and soon started loose networks for communication, support, and caravanning (travelling together). One group became formalized as The Good Samaritan Club. There’s a magazine that comes with membership, plus lots of related services such as camp ground discounts, travel planning, rallies, insurance and mail forwarding. They also help with consumer problems. We joined because we liked the idea helping others and putting a little life into the Golden Rule.
On with today’s story…My next step was to call our insurance company and get our vehicle policies switched from Pennsylvania to Florida. It took a long time, but it was easy. As a result, they will be sending us an invoice at our new address. This will help prove we are Floridians.
Kelly called the bank to switch addresses. Again, it took a very long time on the phone, but she was successful. Getting all our bank-related “things” coordinated was difficult – every MAC, every account, etc. had to be changed individually. You’d think with all the computer networks we have, one institution could change an address in one spot and have it change everywhere within that institution. But noooo – Kelly had to go through each and every one. Poor girl. It was worth it though, because we now have another piece of mail with our new Florida address.
We also talked with Jim, our Money Guy, about truck issues. We don’t have the option of buying a truck with cash – it would have too much impact on our future cash flow. So, we would have to work a truck payment into our budget. We weren’t surprised by that answer, but it was sobering nonetheless.
After reviewing our massive to-do list, we realized that Florida residency was going to take the longest, so we tackled it first. I started by calling the Good Sam’s mail service. A wonderful woman, Tena, runs that office and explained the whole process to me. As a result, I had a tidy list of sub-tasks and a new mailing address.
A history side-note: The Good Samaritan Club (Good Sam’s) started years and years ago, soon after automobiles became popular. People tricked out their cars for camping and soon started loose networks for communication, support, and caravanning (travelling together). One group became formalized as The Good Samaritan Club. There’s a magazine that comes with membership, plus lots of related services such as camp ground discounts, travel planning, rallies, insurance and mail forwarding. They also help with consumer problems. We joined because we liked the idea helping others and putting a little life into the Golden Rule.
On with today’s story…My next step was to call our insurance company and get our vehicle policies switched from Pennsylvania to Florida. It took a long time, but it was easy. As a result, they will be sending us an invoice at our new address. This will help prove we are Floridians.
Kelly called the bank to switch addresses. Again, it took a very long time on the phone, but she was successful. Getting all our bank-related “things” coordinated was difficult – every MAC, every account, etc. had to be changed individually. You’d think with all the computer networks we have, one institution could change an address in one spot and have it change everywhere within that institution. But noooo – Kelly had to go through each and every one. Poor girl. It was worth it though, because we now have another piece of mail with our new Florida address.
We also talked with Jim, our Money Guy, about truck issues. We don’t have the option of buying a truck with cash – it would have too much impact on our future cash flow. So, we would have to work a truck payment into our budget. We weren’t surprised by that answer, but it was sobering nonetheless.
That's drag about the truck but you are obviously doing the right thing. You guys are always good at thinking ahead and tackling problems before they tackle you.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about towing a trailer or about the new trucks, but you may want to ask or look into a high altitude compensation system. Apparently this little number was included on my truck (89 toyota) when it was sold in areas with big mountains. Now driving back and forth between LA and Vegas I so am wishing I had it. But like I said it may be a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteOne I found out there other day there is a 511 number to call about road conditions anywhere in the US.
ReplyDeleteThere is also this website http://www.safetravelusa.com that does the same thing.
Another strange thing is that right now they are closing a lot of the passes out west here. The web site will tell you what is open and what isn't. It seems very strange to me that a) these places exist out here, and b) that they close them. In short when they are open you often have to have chains. Each state has different rules of what has to be chained. I would check into this unless you plan on being out here at the peak of summer. (which is a bad plan its to stinking hot to move).
As a side note to all my small bits of useless information. Please get in touch when you get out this way. I would love to see you guys and hear someone with a Pittsburghese way to them again.