The U.S. Postal Service announced that the price of a first-class stamp will increase from 42 cents to 44 cents on May 11, 2009. That gives you plenty of time to stock up on what the Post Office calls its “Forever Stamp,” a special stamp that has no price denomination printed on it but is good for any first-class letter weighing up to one ounce -- forever, no matter how much postal rates increase in the future. This means you don't have to locate and horde a bunch of one- and two-cent stamps to mail your letters after the increase. You can simply purchase these special stamps at today's 42-cent rate and use them now or in the future, even if postal prices double or triple. The forever stamp, an idea adopted in Europe years ago, was adopted in the US in 2007 and features the Liberty Bell.

Why is this important? Well, here's our two cents. In 1968, first-class stamps were six cents. Since then, the price has risen only 15 times. However, in December 2007, legislation was passed linking postal rates to the consumer price index, which has caused rates to increase each of the last two years – and could easily lead to annual increases from now on. Postal officials estimate that the 2-cent increase will only cost the average household about $3-a-year, but if you utilize the postal service a lot for your business, be aware that other services will also increase on May 11 as well, which do not offer this “forever” feature. This includes a one-cent increase of postcard stamps to 28 cents, a five-cent increase on the first ounce of a large envelope to 88 cents, and a five-cent increase to the first ounce of a parcel to $1.22.
 
 
Posted by Bryan Schroeder on 02/20/2009 02:03 PM   Comments (7)  
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7 Comments on Post Office to Raise Rates Again

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20
2009
652,818 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I have the forever stamp. Thanks for the advice...
2:07pm • #1
179,056 Points 13 Featured Posts

No big surprise here.

Every company is hurting, including the post office.  Fortunately for them, they have a near monopoly on mailing letters.
2:18pm • #2

Thanks for posting...
2:18pm • #3

44 cents is pricey --- but its still cheaper than me getting in my car and delivering it myself :)
2:18pm • #4
204,902 Points 1 Featured Post

NO wonder they want to cut service to 5 days a week.  They are pricing themselves right out of the market.  Have a great day.
2:28pm • #5

Did you see what the head postmaster made last year?? Like 500,000+ something ridiculous like that!
2:55pm • #6
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It still amazes me that I can drop it in the box and it gets clear across the country for that price.But...an opportunity to send some 2 cent stamps to my sphere as a courtesy. Love the forever stamp...
4:54pm • #7


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Bryan Schroeder

Salem, OR

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