# First Class Stamps Going Up 10% on January 27 So Stock Up on Forever Stamps **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569 "2019-01-11T04:01:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/1 "2019-01-11T04:01:07Z")
First class stamps are going up from .50 to .55 on January 27, so you might stock up on Forever stamps before then if you use a moderate number of stamps. > **[Stock up on Forever stamps before the big price hike](https://www.tennessean.com/story/life/shopping/ms-cheap/2019/01/10/forever-stamps-cost-2019-usps-postage-rates-price/2501022002/)** > > USPS Forever stamps will see their biggest price hike since 1991 this year, so now's the time to buy. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/2 "2019-01-11T04:10:21Z")
Thanks for the heads-up, **PastTense**. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/3 "2019-01-11T04:30:08Z")
Thanks. Now we can commence bragging on how we haven’t used a stamp in several years and feign amazement that anyone can possibly have a use for one. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/4 "2019-01-11T05:09:03Z")
I still pay my bills via snail mail, and also use it for other reasons. I had to drop some packages off at the post office, and purchased a roll while I was there. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/5 "2019-01-11T12:21:50Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Thanks. Now we can commence bragging on how we haven’t used a stamp in several years and feign amazement that anyone can possibly have a use for one. Heh. Not brag, but feel stupid. I had an envelope that had to be mailed. A coworker was stopping at the post office and offered to mail it. I handed her the envelope, then a quarter and a dime. She stood there with her hand out and I had to admit I had no idea what it cost. If I’d been thinking I’d have handed her a dollar bill. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/6 "2019-01-11T13:39:28Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Heh. Not brag, but feel stupid. I had an envelope that had to be mailed. A coworker was stopping at the post office and offered to mail it. I handed her the envelope, then a quarter and a dime. She stood there with her hand out and I had to admit I had no idea what it cost. If I’d been thinking I’d have handed her a dollar bill. Heh. I have to admit, I couldn’t have told you what a stamp cost. I just get a little book occasionally at the market with groceries. I don’t see the price. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/7 "2019-01-11T13:45:12Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Thanks. Now we can commence bragging on how we haven’t used a stamp in several years and feign amazement that anyone can possibly have a use for one. Or we can brag about the $2.00 we saved last time this happened. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/8 "2019-01-11T13:55:01Z")
I had no idea what stamps cost, but I use them infrequently enough that a nickle won’t break my budget. Plus I still have half a book in my wallet. When I was young and in the Navy, I bought stamps by the roll - even had the nifty little dispenser to hold the roll - because I was a prolific letter writer. I was also single with lots of time on my hands to pen massive missives. But this was long enough ago that a roll of stamps cost $8. I honestly don’t remember the last time I wrote a letter, or even sent out Christmas cards. Guess I’m part of the reason the USPS is going broke. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/9 "2019-01-11T14:05:16Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Thanks. Now we can commence bragging on how we haven’t used a stamp in several years and feign amazement that anyone can possibly have a use for one. My money’s on the “I’ve never paid a bill online because the only correct way to do it is via paper checks and the USPS.” crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/10 "2019-01-11T14:49:52Z")
I pay most of my stuff online but a few stubborn bills (water bill for one, it’s handled by the HOA) require checks and stamps. But that bill comes quarterly so I just grab a stamp from work, toss a couple quarters in the small change basket and never considered what the stamp actually cost. Heck, I’m surprised to learn it’s 50¢. I would have guessed some weird number like 48¢. Guess I’ve been doing it right! ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/11 "2019-01-11T14:55:22Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I had no idea what stamps cost, but I use them infrequently enough that a nickle won’t break my budget. Plus I still have half a book in my wallet. > > When I was young and in the Navy, I bought stamps by the roll - even had the nifty little dispenser to hold the roll - because I was a prolific letter writer. I was also single with lots of time on my hands to pen massive missives. But this was long enough ago that a roll of stamps cost $8. I honestly don’t remember the last time I wrote a letter, or even sent out Christmas cards. > > Guess I’m part of the reason the USPS is going broke. I didn’t remember what stamps cost, as I had a roll from last year that I used for bills and such. Then I went to go do my christmas cards, and found that they were .$0.50. I was a bit surprised. $50 for 100 stamps. Nice even number, I suppose, at least. But, I send out 4-5 bills a month with stamps. I sent out a bunch of ex-employees w-2’s with stamps just yesterday, and I sent out about 500 christmas cards with stamps last month. Guess I’m one of the few reasons the USPS is still viable at all. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/12 "2019-01-11T14:56:53Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > My money’s on the “I’ve never paid a bill online because the only correct way to do it is via paper checks and the USPS.” crowd. In order to pay online, you have to have someone that accepts online payments. I have a number of vendors, including my landlord, who do not. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/13 "2019-01-11T15:19:19Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > In order to pay online, you have to have someone that accepts online payments. I have a number of vendors, including my landlord, who do not. I do my banking/bill paying online. For vendors not set up for electronic payment, my bank sends a check. There’s a fee, but I’m not sure what they charge. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/14 "2019-01-11T15:47:53Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > In order to pay online, you have to have someone that accepts online payments. I have a number of vendors, including my landlord, who do not. No, you do not. As **kayaker** stated, banks will send a paper check if the recipient isn’t set up for electronic payments. Mine does it for free. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/15 "2019-01-11T17:35:19Z")
Still the best deal in the history of mankind. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/16 "2019-01-11T18:08:53Z")
I write letters. BOOM! ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/17 "2019-01-11T18:31:22Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > No, you do not. As **kayaker** stated, banks will send a paper check if the recipient isn’t set up for electronic payments. Mine does it for free. Yeah, I could probably get my bank to issue checks (haven’t bothered to look into it), but that doesn’t seem to be all the much more convenient than writing it out myself. In any case, what then would I do with all these mailing labels that I have already printed out for each of my vendors that does not accept online payments? 🙂 My bank also is not going to help to mail out christmas cards or employee w-2’s. (Even though they got several of my christmas cards, and are associated with the company that does my payroll.) ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/18 "2019-01-11T18:36:50Z")
Several years ago I bought a little sheet of maybe twenty forever stamps. I think I still have about fifteen of them left. Forget stocking up; I’m embarrassed at the money I’ve already wasted on them. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/19 "2019-01-11T18:40:42Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I write letters. BOOM! So you say, but _I’ve_ never heard from you… 😛 😃 ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569/20 "2019-01-11T21:35:41Z")
I send about 3-4 birthday cards per month, and have a handful of bills that I send through the USPS. However, I AM hoarding the Elvis and Janis Joplin commemorative stamps… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-class-stamps-going-up-10-on-january-27-so-stock-up-on-forever-stamps/827569.md?page=2)