|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save Some Postage Money with the Forever Stamp By: Melissa J Wantuck  |
| |
 On May 12 this year, the U.S. Postal Service is raising the price of the First-Class one-ounce postage stamp from $0.41 to $0.42. The penny rate hike won’t have a large effect but if you’re planning a wedding and will be using stamps a lot this summer you’ll need to increase your wedding budget to cover the increase.
A small way to reduce some of your mailing costs this year as you prepare to send your save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, and thank you notes for shower and wedding gifts is to purchase the Forever stamp for all of your First-Class one-ounce postage needs.
The U.S. Postal Service introduced the Forever stamp in 2007. The stamp features a picture of the Liberty Bell and when purchased, it can be used “forever” on First-Class one-ounce mail despite the rise in stamp prices over time.
The stamps were only available for sale in 2007 the month before the rate hike that year. They have been re-released in April 2008 for $0.41 until the May 12 rate hike goes into effect. You can buy as many sheets of the liberty bell stamps as you like and if you’re looking at sending dozens, even hundreds of letters this year for your wedding, taking advantage of the Forever stamp may help you save some money.
There are three down sides to the Forever stamp. One is it does not have the “love” theme like the current Wedding Hearts stamp ($0.41) couples typically use when they stamp their invitations and thank you notes. The second down side is if you send oversized invitations, you’ll need the First-Class two-ounce stamp, which will be $0.59 on May 12 and there is no “forever” stamp for the two-ounce letter. The third down side is the postcard stamp is increasing as well and there is no forever stamp for that either. This will affect you if you send postcard-style save-the-date cards.
It’s easy to calculate a rough estimate of the number of stamps you’ll need for your wedding. For every invitation you intend to send, you’ll need two stamps. If you’re sending 100 invitations, using 200 stamps, plus 100 stamps for save-the-date cards, you’ll save $3.00. Then for each wedding gift thank you note, you’ll need roughly another 100 stamps, so now you’re up to $4.00. Thank you notes for shower gifts might be 100 or less, so you’re close to $5.00 after buying 500 First-Class stamps. You may think that doesn’t sound like you’re saving much, but today that’s only a little more than a gallon of gas.
And because it is the Forever stamp, if you buy it now but you may not need to use it until the fall, or if you’re planning way in advance for your wedding next year, you’ll still be able to use the stamp. It’s certainly something to consider for your one-time mass contribution to the U.S. Postal Service. And in case you’re under the impression you can buy stamps at a discount price by buying them in bulk, you can’t!
Additional postal rate changes that may affect items you will mail related to your wedding include the postcard stamp (from $0.26 to $0.27) and the First-Class two-ounce stamp (from $0.58 to $0.59). All go into effect May 12, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|