USPS considers stamp rate increases

Sending snail mail is about to get more expensive in early 2019, according to proposed new postage rates.

The U.S. Postal Service is out with proposed new postage rates that would raise the cost of most popular mailing services by an average of about 2.5 percent.

The price of a Forever Stamp will see a five-cent increase, going from 50 cents to 55 cents. However, the cost a postcard stamp will hold steady year-overyear at 35 cents.

Despite the steep 10 percent increase in a Forever Stamp, there is a silver lining here. The rate to mail a two-ounce letter — such like wedding invitation — is set to drop by a penny.

This particular price drop is because the price of “Letters additional ounces” will be lowered from the current 21 cents to 15 cents under the proposal.

Most traditional wedding invites tip the scales at two ounces. So this means the cost to mail an invitation (or something else of a similar weight) would be 70 cents instead of the current 71 cents.

Not a huge savings, but it’s something positive for young couples just starting out.

Meanwhile, the prices of domestic Priority Mail are set to rise, as well.

Keep in mind that all proposed rate increases still have to be approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

If approved, they will take effect January 27, 2019.

Proposed rate changes

Letters (1 oz.): from 50 cents to 55 cents

Letters additional ounces: from 21 cents to 15 cents

Letters (metered 1 oz.): from 47 cents to 50 cents

Outbound international letters (1 oz.): stays at $1.15

Domestic postcards: stays at 35 cents

Priority mail

Small flat rate box: from $7.20to$7.90

Medium flat rate box: from$13.65 to $14.35

Large flat rate box: from $18.90 to $19.95

APO/FPO large flat rate box: from $17.40 to $18.45

Regular flat rate envelope: from $6.70 to $7.35

Legal flat rate envelope: from $7 to $7.65

Padded flate rate envelope: from $7.25 to $8

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