The United States Postal Service raises stamp prices next week, making this the right moment to stock up on Forever Stamps if you mail letters regularly.
USPS has increased stamp prices multiple times over the past few years as the agency works to cover mounting operating losses. The postal service has posted billions in losses and relies on price hikes as one of its primary tools to balance the budget.
Forever Stamps lock in current prices permanently. Once you buy them, you can use them for standard letter mail indefinitely, regardless of future price increases. This makes them a practical hedge against inflation for anyone who sends mail occasionally or frequently.
The timing matters. Buying Forever Stamps before the increase takes effect protects you from paying higher rates down the road. If you typically send 10 letters per month, purchasing a 100-pack now at the current price could save you money over the next year alone.
You can buy Forever Stamps from USPS directly through their website, at post offices, or through authorized retailers like Walgreens and CVS. Prices vary slightly for different stamp formats, so check the specific denomination if you need them for oversized mail.
For most people, stocking up on a few books of Forever Stamps is a low-risk financial move. The stamps don't expire, so there's no downside to having extras on hand. They take up minimal space and represent genuine savings compared to buying stamps at higher prices later.
The broader context: USPS continues struggling financially due to declining mail volume and rising labor costs. These price increases have become routine. Expect future hikes as the agency maintains its pattern of using stamp prices to offset budget shortfalls. For regular mailers, building a small Forever Stamp reserve now is smart planning.