Inflation Hits the Cost of US Postage Stamps

New Prices in May!

from JoeUser Forums
I guess we should all be used to this by now, after all, inflation doesn't just happens to the cost of your food, or insurance or clothing or even your taxes! It also happens to buying a postage stamp. The cost of mailing a letter by regular First Class mail will cost you a penny more in May of this year!


Currently the cost of mailing a letter is $0.41, so that will mean $0.42 for a First Class mail. What I hate about this is having to buy that extra penny postage stamps so that I can be within the law and not have my letters returned to me.


Here's a thought, how many people send letters by mail anymore? Possibly not that many! I do continue to send post cards, birthday cards and yes, even letters by mail to some people. The one thing I don't send by mail anymore though are bills! There's the on-line convenience as well as payment centers or local offices for the businesses I utilize!


Did you know that once upon a time if the Postal Service wanted to raise the cost of postage, it would take one year, that's 1 year, to make it happen? Why you might wonder?! They used to have to hold hearings before the Independent Postal Regulatory Commission, but now they don't have to do that.


The new law that became effective in 2006 allows them to just give we the people a 45-day notice and as long as the increase is within the rate of inflation, well, there you go! I didn't even know that, did you?


The cost to mail a post card will go up to $0.27cents and Certified Mail will be $2.75! If you send mail to Canada or Mexico that will cost you $0.72 and internationally the cost will be $0.94, that's only for First Class mailings.


See the link below for more details and information about the costs for other mailings!


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9,209 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Back at the start of the year, the local Post office would only sell the "Forever Stamps".  So if yuo buy them (41 cents now), you dont have to worry about the penny come May.

My advice?  buy LOTS of the forever stamps.  I suspect this is going to be a frequent event as you point out.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
"Forever Stamps".


Named after me!!


I heard that too! I guess that's a good idea!
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Figures, I just recently bought a book of stamps.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Back at the start of the year, the local Post office would only sell the "Forever Stamps". So if yuo buy them (41 cents now), you dont have to worry about the penny come May.
End of quote


If the increases in postage costs are less than inflation, though, then you are overspending on the stamps. So it depends on your relative expected increases as to whether stocking up is a good idea.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

If the increases in postage costs are less than inflation, though, then you are overspending on the stamps. So it depends on your relative expected increases as to whether stocking up is a good idea.

Actually, I am just lazy, and hate buying stamos.  So I buy 100 at a time.  The last 2 years, I have been stuck with a bunch of 2 cents stamp needs. NOw at least I wont be.

I am not going to worry about the penny.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Figures, I just recently bought a book of stamps.


Isn't that how it always happens!!


So it depends on your relative expected increases as to whether stocking up is a good idea.


This is true!


So I buy 100 at a time.


Good grief, you must use a lot in a year?!
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Good grief, you must use a lot in a year?!

Not really.  I buy them about twice a year. 

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's like, 200 letters! Use email and bank online, dude! :P
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's like, 200 letters! Use email and bank online, dude!
End of quote


Email Christmas cards suck. My bills have to be mailed as I am not big enough to bill by mail. And of course the Lawyers letters have to go by post (My wife's). It adds up. That is only about 15 stamps a month.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
If I had to mail alot of things I'm sure I would be complaining big time. But I still think 42 cents is pretty cheap to mail a letter cross country.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

But I still think 42 cents is pretty cheap to mail a letter cross country.

Yea, the weird thing (not really) is that if you go UPS or FedEx, they charge you by how far it is going.  USPS charges a flat fee coast to coast, and Alaska and Hawaii.  So if it has to go across country (and you dont worry about it getting there), USPS is the way to go!