Peace of Mind Organizing

Postal increase

23 January 2012

I just happened across an article online today telling me that, as of yesterday, the U.S. postal service has raised the price of a first-class stamp by a penny to 45 cents. I’m surprised, because in the past I’ve known about that sort of thing in advance. This one was just under the radar for me.

So I wanted to share it here, in case it had escaped your notice as well.

Here’s a summary of what’s going on:

• The price of a first-class stamp went up by a penny to 45 cents
• The price of a postcard stamp went up by 3 cents to 32 cents
• One-ounce letters to Canada and Mexico went up by 5 cents to 85 cents
• Letters to other foreign countries went up by 7 cents to $1.05.
• For first-class postage, the price of additional ounces remains the same at 20 cents per ounce.
• Forever stamps purchased at lower prices before yesterday’s rate hike remain valid

I still think that 45 cents to mail a letter door to door is an amazing deal. It’s been 2.5 years since there was a rate hike. I worry about whether the postal service will be able to remain afloat in the midst of all the electronic options and I certainly don’t begrudge them a rate increase.

Personally, I think the postal service should sell ads on stamp booklets or the backs of stamps to raise revenue. There are ads everywhere else, why not on stamps?

Tagged with: postage

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