July 11, 2022 |
Inflation struck the post office over the weekend. The next time you buy stamps or mail a letter, it’s going to cost you more, 6.5 percent more. The rate hike took effect Sunday nationwide across the U.S. Postal Service.
The one-ounce First Class Mail letter rate for postage purchased at the Post Office increased two cents to 60 cents. Each additional ounce will cost 24 cents.
A vacation postcard to the family increased four cents to 44 cents.
When the USPS notes that the increase is below the national inflation rate, which the government says is 8.6 percent overall.
This likely won’t be the last postal increase, and it’s not the first. The price went to 58 cents last July after steadily rising for five straight years. Mailing a letter cost 49 cents in 2017. In May, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Americans should get used to “uncomfortable” postage rate increases in coming years as the U.S. Postal Service seeks to become self-sufficient.
The price of a forever stamp increased two-cents to 60 cents.
