**Stamp Price Increase Coming January 22, 2023 | Here’s What You Need to Know
Another stamp price increase is on its way. Here’s what you need to know.
The price of a stamp is going up and will continue to go up every year.
The United States Postal Service is planning to increase the price of Forever Stamps from their current cost of 60¢ to 63¢ effective on January 22, 2023. In addition, USPS is proposing to increase the cost of metered letters, postcards, and international mail as detailed below. See this press release on the stamp price increase for more information.
Beyond that, the USPS has announced plans to raise the price of postage twice a year, every year continuing in January of 2023. 😱 You can expect the increases to take place around each January and July.
The USPS said the following about the stamp price increase:
It “intends to be judicious in the use of available pricing authority, but anticipates the prospect that, given our current financial condition, the price change for each market-dominant class may be required to apply most or all pricing authority available on the date of filing.”
If you think that statement sounds somewhat ominous, you’re not alone. An industry watchdog called The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers declared this filing “a death spiral accelerator” for the USPS. It’s also warning its members, “We assume USPS will use the full pricing authority it has at any moment.” 😬
Which classes of mail will see the biggest postage increase?
The services that will be affected by these twice-a-year price hikes include first-class mail, marketing (advertising) mail, periodicals, package services, and special services. Linn’s Stamp News points out that many of these are services in which the USPS holds a monopoly.
So why is there a stamp price increase now?
In the past, inflation caps limited the USPS’s ability to raise the price of a stamp by keeping postage increases in line with inflation rates. But the Postal Regulatory Commission recently gave the agency additional rate authorities. This means we may be about to see historical price increases while the Postal Service tries to save itself from financial ruin, so get ready for a huge postage increase.
Looking to save on shipping?
Not all shipping services are the same! If you’re wondering how to get the best deal on shipping, we prepared a handy cheat sheet for you! See our shipping cost comparison to know whether Fed Ex, UPS, or USPS best fits your needs. With inflation recently impacting shipping costs, choosing the right carrier can make a big difference!
Another way to save is to use Media Mail when eligible. Media Mail is a shipping service offered by the USPS and it can be used to send non-time-sensitive, educational materials. These can include items like books, educational references, CDs, DVDs, and more.
Check the USPS website for a full list of eligible items. Media Mail packages are subject to inspection by the Postal Service so you’ll want to ensure your items qualify or you risk receiving an additional charge.
If your items do qualify, you’re in luck! Media Mail prices are considerably lower than other services and start as low as $3.49. Just keep in mind that in exchange for the low price, Media Mail shipments take a little longer to be delivered. The current estimate is 2-8 business days.
If you ship packages frequently, consider joining the FedEx Rewards program to snag discounts of 15%-30% off your shipments. If you prefer UPS, the shipping service offers discounts to AAA and AARP members.
Stressed out by inflation? Try these 10 easy ways to save money!
Aside from Costco- any place good to buy discount stamps?
Are they actually discounted at costco or just sold in large quantities? I had no idea
I didn’t think they were discounted at Costco.
I Paid $59.75 for 100 stamps yesterday at Costco
DO NOT BUY “DISCOUNTED” STAMPS. There are scam (fraudulent) discounted stamps online. This is a known scam (see AARP’s website for details.) I don’t know why they are still available online but I just verified it. Chinese vendors offer 50% of prior year’s Forever stamps but they are counterfeit.
Thank you for the heads up. Better go stock up 👍
You’re very welcome!
Regardless of the service, I love mailing cards (just because, birthdays, etc.). I have started to order my stamps online through USPS. There is a variety, so for my birthday cards I order Happy Birthday stamps. I will order my stamps today for Christmas and birthday stamps. Thank you hip2save team! Happy Shopping to all.
Thanks for the tip to order from USPS.com. I just did the same and it worked great. It’s kind of fun to pick out the stamp design.
You’re so welcome! Thanks so much for sharing your tip with readers! 💕
I love the idea of birthday stamps. I didn’t even realize they made them. Thank you for the idea!
I went to the post office today and got a roll of regular stamps, postcard stamps, and a few international stamps to last me until next year. I love mailing out cards too but I will have to start cutting back next year.
So glad that you were able to grab some stamps at the current price, Tawana! 🤗❤️
Thank you for the heads up. I had no idea the price was going up. I just ordered my stamps online and my Christmas stamps so I am covered for a while. Thanks again !!!
USPS would still be profitable on an operating basis if Congress hadn’t forced them in 2006 to fund their post-retirement health care costs 75 years in advance(Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act). They wanted USPS to have financial problems so that they could use it as a justification for service cuts and privatization. No other federal agency is required to do this.
Sara,
Sorry to hear this. (I had no idea.)
I would like to add, that as far as the local employees in my area, the people who work at the local post office are always super helpful and the lady who delivers mail to my neighborhood is incredibly hard working and friendly, always going over and above to make sure we receive our mail and deliveries.
They all deserve better, and I am surprised that this this has not been rectified.
Post Office could save billions if they stopped daily delivery. It’s not needed. About 5 days a week we get 1-3 pieces of mail. I rarely send cards since it all ends up in the garbage.
Right now we are only getting our mail delivered 4 or 5 days a week and I don’t miss the mail not being delivered those one or two days.
Some of us get our medications delivered. I’m disabled. Lord knows they don’t give you extra medication if, say, you encounter lost mail, theft, an emergency of some sort. You get enough to get you through the month and that’s it. I count on the delivery.
I have found discounted stamps on EBay
They could just change delivery to Tues-Saturday….or Tues-Friday. No mail really comes on Mondays and already not delivered Sundays. Many companies have opted for paper-free. The only things that are getting mailed IMHO is holiday cards (which end up in the trash and school photos which also probably end up in trash). Not trying to sound pessimistic but rather than charge consumers, cut costs on services that aren’t that important.