New cars, health insurance, electronics, college tuition—all of these things are expected to cost consumers more in 2013, according to USnews.com. We're even going to be paying up to 4 percent more for groceries.
And, and you can now add the cost of mailing a letter or package to the list of increases this month. While a regular letter or post card will only cost a penny more, rates to ship some packages are going up 6 percent.
According to a press release from the U.S. Postal Service, beginning on Jan. 27, it will cost 46 cents, a penny more than last year, to mail a 1 ounce, First Class letter to any location in the United States. This is the second price change for First Class stamps since 2009.
Cost for letters of more than an ounce will remain at 20 cents per ounce. Post cards will increase 1 cent, to 33 cents, and letters to international destinations (1 oz.) will be $1.10.
New this year will be the First Class global Forever Stamp, which offers a single stamp for any First Class, 1-ounce letter to any country in the world.
“The new stamp will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10, and will ease the transition during price changes,” said Central Illinois District Manager, Peter Allen.
Prices for Priority Mail and Express Mail will see a steeper increase, however.
Prices for shipping services in general increased by 2.6 percent, with Priority Mail prices increasing an average of 6.3 percent. New domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat-Rate products is as follows:
- Regular envelope — $5.60
- Legal-size envelope — $5.75
- Padded envelope — $5.95
- Small box — $5.80
- Medium box — $12.35
- Large box — $16.85
- Large APO/FPO/DPO box — $14.85
More information on new pricing for Mailing and Shipping Services is available at www.usps.com.
Express Mail prices increased on average by 5.8 percent. The Sunday/holiday premium remains at $12.50 for the fourth year in a row. Express Mail Flat-Rate Boxes were introduced last year and remain unchanged at $39.95. Express Mail retail prices begin at $14.10, and Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope retail prices increase to $19.95.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
The Post Office has taken a hit over the years, with the Internet taking over a lot of traditional mail duties, such as bill paying, letter writing and greeting card sending. But be aware. Your Internet bill may be going up soon, as well, according to the Huffington Post.
Written by Elmhurst Patch editor Karen Chadra.
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