The USPS usually announces proposed increases in October. They kick in January or July, depending on the whim of the Postal Regulatory Commission. Right now, the buzz is another jump of 5 to 10 cents in 2026.
But here’s the trick: no one knows for sure until it’s official. It’s like waiting for a bus that might or might not be late. You just stand there, wallet in hand, hoping.
What You Can Do (Without Loosing Your Cool)
First: buy forever stamps now. Don’t wait. Go to the post office or order online. Stocks them like you stock canned soup before a storm. They’ll be good twelve years from now if you still write letters.
USPS: The price of stamps is going up next month, here's what you'll
Second: mail less, but mail better. Send a long, handwritten note instead of a store-bought card. It costs the same stamp but feels like ten times the effort. People remember those.
Third: reconsider if you need to mail it. I’ve started scanning and emailing quick thank-you notes. My mother scolds me, but she also understands—every cent counts when inflation is nibbling at your grocery bill.
