1st Class Stamps Rise 2 Pennies to 44 Cents

It was officially announced that the USPS 1st class stamps will now cost you 2 pennies more. It is estimated that the increase will cost the average household an additional $3-a-year. This the the 3rd concecutive year that the rates have gone up in May under a new system that allows annual increases as long as they don't exceed the rate of inflation for the year before. Now you better start paying all your bills online, which has been my favorite and most convenient solution to various bill payments! I still remember buying the 37-cent stamps at the kiosk inside the University Bookstore a few winters ago!

Therefore, the following changes will take effect May 11 2009:
• The postcard stamp increases 1 cent to 28 cents.
• The first ounce of a large envelope increases 5 cents to 88 cents.
• The first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22.
• New international postcard and letter prices are, for one ounce, 75 cents to Canada; 79 cents to Mexico; and 98 cents elsewhere.