Packages

Have them sent to work. Otherwise:

FedEx -- have the package diverted to nearby FedEx Office location for free.

UPS -- have the package diverted to nearby UPS location for $5 each time or ~$40/year ("My Choice" is the name of their program), or get it from the depot for free (43rd and 11th, if I remember correctly).

USPS -- get it from the nearby post office.

"or get it from the depot for free (43rd and 11th, if I remember correctly)."

Only if you live south of Central Park. Otherwise you have to go to their depot in the Bronx.

1. If you're friendly with a neighbor who tends to be home during the day, you can ask if she'll take the package for you, and leave a stickum for the carrier asking him to ring her bell. Not sure if they'll do that for packages that require signature.

2. If you're a regular and friendly customer at a small local business in an old-school neighborhoody neighborhood (I gather by your username that you live in Long Island City), you can ask the shopkeeper if you can send stuff there. Obviously not huge boxes, though.

"1. If you're friendly with a neighbor who tends to be home during the day, you can ask if she'll take the package for you, and leave a stickum for the carrier asking him to ring her bell. Not sure if they'll do that for packages that require signature."

Don't be sexist. Guys might be at home too.

Matthew, you're baiting for someone to make a remark about the long-term unemployed "consultants" who specialize in the vortex between the dying field of journalism and the rapidly-expiring medium of broadcasting.

I, for one, will take the moral high ground and avoid posting any such thing.