You know how women's hemlines go up and down over time? Postal rates are just like that...except they never go down. Almost never. I groaned when I read that postal rates were increasing for the second time in 18 months. I was so happy to use up the last of my 2-cent stamps and now I'll have to stock up again. It's just sad.
Since the invitation biz relies so heavily on the USPS, I thought it was my responsibility to warn you about the rate hike if you haven't heard the news yet:
EFFECTIVE: May 14, 2007
If you're sending save-the-date postcards or inserting response postcards in your invitations:
The postcard rate is increasing from 24 cents to 26 cents.
If you're sending an invitation that weighs 1-ounce or less:
The first-class letter rate is increasing from 39 cents to 41 cents. There are a lot of cute love-themed stamps available right now (see picture above), but you'll have to add on a 2-cent stamp.
If you're sending an invitation that weighs over 1-ounce:
The cost of additional ounces for first-class mail is decreasing from 24 cents to 17 cents. So an elaborate 2-ounce invitation with all the weighty insert cards will now cost only 58 cents instead of 63 cents.
The "Forever" stamp:
In April, the USPS will be releasing their "Forever" stamp. You'll be able to purchase these special stamps at the current value of a 1-ounce stamp (upon its first release, it will be sold at 41 cents a piece) and you can use the stamps f-o-r-e-v-e-r regardless of future rate hikes.