A new “forever” stamp goes on sale today, April 12, 2007, emblazoned with the Liberty Bell. The idea behind the stamp is that many people are sick of postage rate hikes (okay, make that everybody) and the consequential 2 cent stamps that you have to buy, in order to use up your now outdated postage stamps. I have to admit: I was given a large roll of 37 cent stamps several years ago, and I am still working my way through those. The postage rate is now 39 cents, and will be going up to 41 cents come May 14th. Everyone, boo together. Instead of trying to buy four cent stamps or buying lots of two cent stamps, I think I’m just going to put two 37 cent stamps on the envelopes and call it good. I pay all of my bills online, and write all of my friends via e-mail, so this stack of 37 cent stamps could conceivably last me another five years, even if I use them two at a time.
For those of you who send more mail than I do though, the forever stamp will become your new best friend. When you buy it (which it sells for 41 cents) it doesn’t matter how many postage rate hikes happen after that, you can still just use the forever stamp and have it work just fine. When the postage rate hikes happen, the cost of the forever stamp will go up too, but if you have a pile of the old ones, you can work your way through those before having to buy the new, more expensive ones. There are no limits on how many forever stamps you can buy.
I, for one, am glad to see the forever stamp come into being. Since I don’t use many stamps, I was always reluctant to buy them in any large number (read: more than five at a time) because I knew there would be a $#&*)(*(^! rate hike before I could use them all. I’m quite thrilled to see these stamps–I now can buy with impunity. When I’m forced to finally buy.
One quick note: Until the rate hike on May 14th, it is cheaper to use a regular first-class stamp that costs 39 cents, rather than the forever stamp. But if you are sending out a letter that has to be sent back to you, and you need to put postage on the return envelope, the forever stamp is the way to go.
Am I the only one who uses one stamp every six months? Leave your comments below!