May 1, 2008
Stamp Out Spending: Buy Forever Stamps
The USPS is changing postal rates again, and people are rushing to snap up Forever stamps before the new rates go into effect. Starting May 12, first class stamps will rise to 42 cents, continuing that annoying tradition of involving pennies in postal pricing. Trendy square greeting cards will now be priced at 62 cents, making it even harder to be hip. Everyone's favorite traveling companion, the postcard, remains relatively affordable at 27 cents.
The USPS has 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to accommodate our need to save a few cents on a stamp book, but hoarders are likely buying them up in bulk. Hurry to your local post office if you're stamp-happy and want to save.
In addition to the stamp hike, the postal pricing changes also offer 3.5% savings on Priority Mail when you use electronic postage, 3% savings when buying Express Mail online, and volume savings for Parcel Select services.
|
Hasn't inflation historically outpaced the increase of postal rates, making the forever stamps a relatively poor purchasing idea?
fair enough. apparently poor doesn't mean unpopular though!
Yes, they are pretty much pegged to inflation now, so there's only an incentive to buy just before the prices go up...if nothing else to save you from having to go to the PO after the rates rise or from using an extra stamp and wasting money.