Postage increases 2 cents
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

The new "Forever" Stamp.

The price of mailing a letter rose two cents Monday, when the United States Postal Service (USPS) increased the cost of First Class postage to 41 cents.

It was the first price increase for First Class postage since stamps rose from 37 cents to 39 cents in January 2006.

The Postal Service cited the rising cost of transportation as a primary factor behind the increase.

While the change will mean parting with another pair of pennies, other changes will actually save customers money.

Forget the phrase "less is more." In this case, more is less. That's because the cost of each additional ounce of postage has dropped from 24 cents to 17 cents.

So even though the cost of mailing a single ounce letter has risen from 39 cents to 41 cents, the cost of mailing a two ounce letter has actually dropped from 63 cents to 58 cents.

Also of benefit to consumers' pocketbooks is the new "Forever" stamp, which offers value for those weary of future price increases.

These stamps will always be valid for use on First Class, 1-ounce mail. They will not require additional postage, regardless of future price increases.

The Forever stamps do not have a price printed on them, but currently sell for 41 cents, the same price as First Class stamps.

While 41 cents may be a long way from the 2 cents it cost for a stamp in 1919, the Postal Service may still face a deficit this year, as it attempts to keep pace with the rapidly changing communications market.

First Class postage rate changes since 1971

May 16, 1971- 8 cents
March 2, 1974- 10 cents
Dec. 31, 1975- 13 cents
May 29, 1978- 15 cents
March 22, 1981- 18 cents
Nov. 1, 1981- 20 cents
Feb. 17, 1985- 22 cents

April 3, 1988- 25 cents
Feb. 3, 1991- 29 cents
Jan. 1, 1995- 32 cents
Jan. 10, 1999- 33 cents
Jan. 7, 2001- 34 cents
June 30, 2002- 37 cents
Jan. 8, 2006- 39 cents
May 14, 2007- 41 cents