Despite the rise of the internet over the past few decades, snail mail is still extremely important. Everybody loves the feeling of a hand-written letter or card, and sending gifts yourself allows you to pack them your way. Personal touch is more unique and special than ever, and postal services play a vital role. The issue, though, is mailing things can get expensive, especially in bulk. While we want you to be as frugal as possible, it isn’t worth it to give up the things that make life special. So, here are some great tips on how to save money using postal services.
Weigh it at Home
When sending gifts, don’t wait until you’re at the post office to weigh your package. This only limits your options, and can often pressure you into a more expensive choice. Weigh everything at home, and then look at what your options are online before going to ship it out. As is the case with most things in life, preparation and planning can save you a lot of trouble.
Use Private Services
USPS is a reliable option. Like most government entities, though, it isn’t always the most efficient. When it comes to heavier items, or valuables that need insurance, UPS and FedEx can be much better options. This plays into the previous note that planning is key, and you can save a lot by making sure you are headed the right direction when driving to mail your package.
Save Boxes
In an age where we get everything on amazon, boxes are not hard to come by. The issue is, most people just tear the boxes apart when opening, and toss them out after they have made them useless. Instead, carefully open your packages and break down the boxes in a manner that allow you to use them later. Store them away wherever you can (flat boxes don’t take up much space) to use them later on. Now, when Christmas comes around you have plenty of blank, sturdy boxes in which to ship your gifts!
Forever Stamps
For those of you who fancy cards and letters, stamp buying can be a pain. This is made even worse when you realize those stamps you bought in bulk have gone up in price, so you have to double up to reach the value you need. Forever stamps fix this issue, costing no more than regular stamps and having a value that never expires. This will reduce waste, and ensure that buying in bulk is as rewarding as possible.
Flat Rate Shipping
One of the best ways to avoid surprises at the post office is to use flat rate shipping. Knowing what you’re going to pay can absolutely save you money, and if it fits in the packaging, it qualifies. 1-3 days is the typical speed of flat rate, and this can reduce stress during holiday seasons when you want to make sure that gifts are under the tree by Christmas. Weight limits are generous, shipping is incredibly fast, and the value in this option is amazing.
Trey LaRocca is a freelance writer, financial sales worker, and tech guy. When he isn’t out and about or at work, he’s usually at home enjoying some video games and a beer. Currently residing in Newport Beach, this California Kid can be found at the beach on any given weekend. Trey has years of experience in day/swing trading, financial analytics, and sales.
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