Sending snail mail is one of the most frugal things you can do, because you really get a lot of service for a little stamp. Imagine, you can send a letter anywhere within the United States for only 41 cents. You can’t even buy a candy bar for that amount without some serious couponing. And, it doesn’t take that much more to send a letter overseas.
But, as you may or may not know, the postage rates are going up here in America, starting on May 12th. The first class stamp will rise from 41 cents to 42 cents. Media mail rates will also increase, depending on the size of a package (anything under a pound will go up by about 10 cents, and anything between one pound and two pounds will go up by about 11 cents).
The good news is the invention of the forever stamp. You can purchase a stockpile of these stamps that will be good for “forever.” Right now, you can purchase them at today’s rate of 41 cents and then use them later when the rate goes up. So after May 12th, your 41 cent stamps will be worth 42 cents each. That isn’t a bad return on investment, when you think about it. These forever stamps are a good investment.
For me, I plan on purchasing a whole roll of forever stamps. I can use them on packaging as well as on letters or bills. While we try to do most of our bills online to save postage, there are some that just can’t work this way. I enjoy exchanging letters with far away friends, and I frequently send out books through Paperbackswap.com.
Should the postage rates increase again, you will still be able to use your forever stamps, making them even more valuable. And with rising gas costs, it is likely that another postage increase will be here soon.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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