# Forever Stamp Prices Rise July 12: Should You Stock Up Now?
Forever Stamp prices jump on July 12, marking another increase in mailing costs. A single Forever Stamp will cost 73 cents, up from 68 cents. That's a 5-cent bump that affects anyone who mails letters regularly.
The price hike extends beyond stamps. Postcards climb to 53 cents from 48 cents. International postcards jump to $1.50 from $1.45. Priority Mail Express rates also increase, though USPS hasn't published exact amounts yet.
This marks the 11th price increase since 2010, reflecting rising operational costs and inflation. For occasional mailers, the impact remains modest. But households that send multiple letters monthly will notice the difference. A family mailing 20 letters per month adds $1 to their annual costs.
The practical question: Should you buy stamps before July 12? Financial advisors generally say no. Buying stamps in bulk to beat price increases makes sense only if you actually mail letters regularly. Hoarding stamps in a drawer wastes money tied up in inventory. If you mail 10 letters monthly, you'll use those stamps within 5 months regardless of the price difference.
However, small business owners with predictable mail volume have reason to stock up. A printing company mailing 1,000 pieces monthly saves $500 annually by buying before the increase. The same logic applies to nonprofits sending donor mailings.
Forever Stamps retain their face value forever, even after price increases. An old 68-cent stamp still counts as postage after July 12, though you'll need to add a 5-cent stamp to cover the difference. This prevents sudden obsoletion of your existing inventory.
The broader trend concerns people who rely on mail. Rising postage costs