by Pat Merewether

Created on: September 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 05, 2010

Email is a great way to save postage, but many of us still like to send and receive a real letter or card once in awhile. The best way to save money on postage is to know the rules and weight requirements. You can send five or six pages of normal printer paper for one stamp.  If you still write long letters buy light-weight paper that allow you to send more pages.  Weigh your letter before sending to make sure you do not need a second stamp. Buy stamps for the second ounce which are a few cents less per stamp. There is no need to put two first class stamps on an envelope, have a few handy for the second ounce.  

Check the envelope when you purchase greeting cards. Oversized greeting cards will require extra postage. Some times it's worth it when you find that perfect greeting card, but other times you can find one just as meaningful or funny that takes less postage. Most cards that require extra postage say so in the area where you'll affix the stamp.  Sometimes this information is in very small print, so check carefully. 

One of the best-kept secrets is the 'media rate', which is a special inexpensive rate for shipping books and other items considered 'media' by the post office.  Ask about this when shipping books.  You may not include anything with your book, such as a letter, business cards or other materials.

Priority Mail envelopes are available that are a flat rate' - which means whatever you can fit in the envelope goes for one price.
Below is the information cut and pasted from the USPS site:

Flat Rate Shipping Options are available for Priority packages. Ask your postal clerk about them. For one flat fee you can ship anything you can fit into one of these envelopes or boxes. The information is available on line. The mailing boxes and tape are free, either pick them up at your local post office or order them on-line.

Now it is possible to print your own postage from your computer and mail from home. If you send a lot of small packages and gifts to friends and family and this service savesgas money and time. 

Other Options: Consider signing up for on-line payment of bills, which is very convenient and keeps a lot of paper out of the landfills.  You can do this for insurance, utilities, garbage pickup, etc. The companies will still send you a statement, or sometimes you can request an on-line statement and keep their costs down, which in the end will save

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