Stamp Prices to Increase in 2013

According to the US Postal Service website, the price of a forever stamp will increase by 1 cent on January 27, 2013. The cost of a stamp in 2013 is set at 46 cents. This is a 2.22% postage rate increase from the 2012 stamp price of 45 cents.  The Post Office also issued the new First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp which allows customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for a set price of $1.10.

Did this answer your question about stamp prices? If so, hit the +1.

In 2013, postcards will also see a hike in price equal to 1 cent, which means you will pay 33 cents to mail postcards. Letters to all international destinations will cost you $1.10 (up $0.05 from 2012).

Buy Forever Stamps Now to Make 2.22% Return!

Since the price of stamps is increasing by 2.22%, you can avoid the hike in price by purchasing forever stamps anytime between now and January 27, 2013. Doing so will provide a 2.22% return on your money.  Before you buy enough stamps for the next 10 years, consider putting your money to better use in an investment account like Betterment, which gives you $25 when you invest $250 – a cool 10% return right away! Check out my review of Betterment here.

How Much are USPS Flat Rate Boxes in 2013?

I love using the flat rate boxes from the US Postal service.  Here are the new 2013 prices for the flat rate boxes:

• Small box — $5.80
• Medium box — $12.35
• Large box — $16.85
• Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
• Regular envelope — $5.60
• Legal envelope — $5.75
• Padded envelope — $5.95

In case you were wondering…

• The first stamp was issued for sale on July 1, 1847. It cost 5 cents to mail a letter within 300 miles and 10 cents to deliver mail beyond 300 miles.
• The Post Office employs over a half of a million workers and has recently been under fire because of its decreasing revenue and projected default on their bills.
• You can find a change of address checklist in this article we wrote.

Do you remember what a stamp cost when you were a kid? If you’re brave enough to share it in the comments, we’d love to know!