Postal Office Requests 2 Cent Stamp Increase

[jeffrey]

The Postal Services requested a 2 cent increase in first class stamps to take effect early next year, then proposed to Congress to eliminate the need for the postage increase. Postal Services said the price increase was needed not for increased costs of delivering mail, but because of a 2003 law which requires the agency to deposit $3.1 billion annually into an escrow account. The Postal Service said it would drop the postage increase request if Congress would cancel this requirement.




The following postal rate increases have been proposed:

- First Class Letters: They would increase 2 cents to 39 cents for the first ounce, then increase 1 cent to 24 cents for each additional ounce.

- Post Cards: They would increase 1 cent to 24 cents.

- Express Mail: The lowest charge would increase from $10.70 to $11.30.

- Priority Mail: The lowest charge would increase from $3.85 to $4.05.

- Parcel Post: The lowest charge would increase from $2.81 to $2.96.

- Certified Mail: The charge would increase from $2.30 to $2.40.

- Insurance: The minimum charge would increase from $1.30 to $1.35.

- Money Order: The charge would increase from 90 cents to 95 cents.

- Registered Mail: The charge would be increased from $7.50 to $12.75.

To learn how to purchase postage stamps at less than they are worth, read the SavingAdvice.com article Buying Postage Stamps At Below Face Value

[mom-from-missouri]

This increase in fuel will really hit the post office. I am surprised they are not going to ask for more than 2 cents.

[jacquelynrose]

Why? Oh well, I guess I will just have to adjust....

Jacquelyn

[csonneman]

I guess that a hike in postage had to happen. Everything else goes up over time. With the price of gas and our need to get the mail they are spending more.

One of my solutions is to pay more bills online or directly at a service provider, i.e go to the electric company or the store you have a credit card with.

Maybe it is time for a push to have the mail delivered every other day like in the past. It would save money and then we wouldn't have so much junk mail to go through each day.

In all likelyhood though except for the first time or 2 that I have to buy stamps it will just become part of the way of life. Kinda like the gas and food that are on the rise and we need, at least to some degree.