You Have 3 Days to Buy Stamps Before Prices Increase

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Consider stopping by the post office this week.

Some postal rates will increase on Sunday, which leaves you a couple of days to stock up on stamps and mail packages at the current rates.

You might have heard about these increases in October, when the U.S. Postal Service announced it had requested them. A USPS spokesperson tells Money Talks News this week that the increases were approved and take effect on Jan. 22.

The retail rates for domestic first-class mail after the increase include:

  • Stamped letters, up to 1 ounce: 49 cents (up from 47 cents)
  • Large envelopes (aka “flats”), up to 1 ounce: 98 cents (up from 94 cents)
  • Parcels, up to 3 ounces: $2.67 (up from $2.62)

Other shipping services that will be affected include:

  • Priority Mail (one to three business days): Starts at $6.65 (up from $6.45)
  • Priority Mail Express (overnight): Starts at $23.75 (up from $22.95)

This is the first time in three years that the USPS has raised rates, the agency noted in October.

Not all rates will increase on Jan. 22, though. Unaffected services include:

  • Postcards (still 34 cents)
  • Additional ounces for letters (still 21 cents per ounce)
  • Letters mailed to international destinations (still $1.15)

What do you make of these changes? Share your thoughts below or over on our Facebook page.

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