Now is the time to buy those Forever Stamps: Mother’s Day is next Sunday, and it will be the last chance to send a card through the mail for 42 cents.
On Monday, May 11, the price of a first-class stamp will increase to 44 cents.
Postal customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices with Forever Stamps, which were developed to lessen customers’ confusion during price increases. Forever stamps do not have a denomination and can be used without having to add postage.
The price of the Forever Stamp also will increase to 44 cents on May 11.
Postage prices are reviewed every may and adjusted by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. The 2 cent increase matches the rate of inflation for 2008, and is necessary because of rising operational costs.
“The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across America today,” said Postmaster General John Potter in a press release. “Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world.”
The price of a first class stamp has increased 10 cents since 2001.
The additional ounce price for first class mail will remain unchanged at 17 cents.
For the average household, the 2 cent increase will represent an additional $3 over the course of the year, the press release stated.