WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Postal Service will raise the cost of a first-class stamp from 46 cents to 49 cents Monday -- so stock up on Forever stamps if you do bulk mailing.
The increase, equivalent to a 6.7 percent increase in the cost of a first-class stamp, could make for a decent investment opportunity, provided you've got a way to unload a few million stamps over the next couple of months. But beyond that, the cost of inflation will largely eat up the savings, the Wall Street Journal said Saturday.
The 49 cent first-class stamp is guaranteed for the next two years unless the Postal Service seeks special permission for another rate hike before then. Rising operational costs have forced the independent government department to undertake a series of cost-saving measures including closing post offices, cutting staff and even considering ending Saturday mail service.
