Inflation continues to impact a range of everyday expenses, including the cost of sending mail. Beginning next week, the price of a Forever stamp, as well as other types of postage, is set to increase, according to the United States Postal Service (USPS). Fortunately, there’s still time to stock up on stamps at their current prices. Here’s what to know.
How much does a Forever stamp cost?
Currently, a Forever stamp costs 63 cents. But it won’t stay that way for long: On July 9, 2023, the price will increase by approximately 5.4%, to 66 cents, the USPS announced earlier this year.
While 3 cents may not seem like much, in this economy, every little bit counts—especially if you tend to go through a lot of stamps. For this reason, you may want to replenish your supply on or before Saturday, July 8, as they’ll continue to be valid even after the price increase.
That’s the beauty of Forever stamps: As the name suggests, they can be used to mail a one-ounce letter “regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used, and no matter how prices may change in the future,” according to the USPS.
This is the second time this year that the price of Forever stamps has gone up: On January 22, 2023, they went from 60 cents to 63 cents each. According to the USPS, both increases were “to offset the rise in inflation.”
Additional postage cost increases
Along with the Forever stamp, other types of postage will also increase in price on July 9. The cost of sending a domestic postcard will go from 48 cents to 51 cents, while the cost of sending an international letter (1 oz.) or postcard will go from $1.45 to $1.50.
Even with these increases, the USPS notes that its prices “remain among the most affordable in the world.”
