2008 Woodie Awards
Forever stamp keeps snail mail prices stable
Angela Koning
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Opinion
As college students, we rely on e-mail to get through our daily routines. Many of us use it to turn in assignments, communicate with professors and say hello to friends living miles away.
While e-mail is fast and convenient, nothing beats the feeling of opening the mailbox to see someone has sent you a note via snail mail. Beginning May 14 though, those hellos are going to cost the sender a few cents more.
The post office recently requested the first-class rate increase from 39 to 42 cents but it will only be raised to 41 cents. However, there is another option. A new forever stamp has just been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. As the name implies, it will be valid no matter what the rate may increase in the future.
The forever stamp is meant for consumers, not businesses and there will not be a limit on sales. If the price of stamps increases in the future the forever stamp price will also increase but those with the original 41 cent forever stamps won't have to worry.
With this in mind, one must ask themselves a few questions: Will stamps be around indefinitely? How often do I use stamps? Is it worth the investment now to save a few dollars years down the road? The answer to the last question is probably not.
Stamps will remain in use as long as there is a need for the Postal Service and the price of stamps will continue to increase to fund employees needs and gas for their vehicles. If one finds themselves sending a large quantity of letters, such as wedding invitations, the price has actually decreased as the second ounce price has gone from 24 to 17 cents. Events like weddings usually only occur once in a lifetime and postage is likely to be the least of budgeting worries.
So if considering purchasing the forever stamp in a few weeks when they become available, keep in mind the minimal savings in the long run and think of all the other ways you could spend that money now.
While e-mail is fast and convenient, nothing beats the feeling of opening the mailbox to see someone has sent you a note via snail mail. Beginning May 14 though, those hellos are going to cost the sender a few cents more.
The post office recently requested the first-class rate increase from 39 to 42 cents but it will only be raised to 41 cents. However, there is another option. A new forever stamp has just been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. As the name implies, it will be valid no matter what the rate may increase in the future.
The forever stamp is meant for consumers, not businesses and there will not be a limit on sales. If the price of stamps increases in the future the forever stamp price will also increase but those with the original 41 cent forever stamps won't have to worry.
With this in mind, one must ask themselves a few questions: Will stamps be around indefinitely? How often do I use stamps? Is it worth the investment now to save a few dollars years down the road? The answer to the last question is probably not.
Stamps will remain in use as long as there is a need for the Postal Service and the price of stamps will continue to increase to fund employees needs and gas for their vehicles. If one finds themselves sending a large quantity of letters, such as wedding invitations, the price has actually decreased as the second ounce price has gone from 24 to 17 cents. Events like weddings usually only occur once in a lifetime and postage is likely to be the least of budgeting worries.
So if considering purchasing the forever stamp in a few weeks when they become available, keep in mind the minimal savings in the long run and think of all the other ways you could spend that money now.
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