US Postage Rates Going Up

Get to your local Post Office and buy up the Forever stamps before the prices go up.

See the various rate hikes for May 11 here on the official USPS site.

The rate hike, bringing a first-class stamp to 44 cents, will cost the average family about $3 a year, the Postal Service said.

Customers can still purchase a “Forever Stamp” for the current price of 42 cents.

“The Forever Stamp is always honored for a 1-ounce letter with no need for additional postage,” Postal Service spokesman Stephen Kearney said.

The Postal Service first issued the Forever stamp in April 2007.

“Whether you’re a consumer or run a business, the Postal Service continues to offer a good deal during a time when we’re all looking for ways to save,” Kearney said.

The postal service is raising rates once again. First class postage is going to 44 cents on May 11th.

Come May 11, the U.S. Postal Service “will adjust prices” for first-class stamps and other services. Stamps – including the “Forever” stickie – will rise two pennies, to 44 cents. You can buy 42 cents Forevers until then.

You can set your watch by future increases. Quoth the Postal Service:

“Consistent with The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, we will adjust our mailing services prices each May. By law, these prices can increase on average no more than the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. We plan to provide 90 days’ notice of the new prices each year, to help mailers prepare for the change.”

You can see how much you’ll be gouged on all kinds of postage here. The postal service is top heavy with bureaucracy. Rate increases hurt small businesses, including writers. And now the postal service tells us that it’s going to raise rates every year from here on out.