Stamp Prices Increase Sunday

Starting Sunday, it will cost another cent to mail a letter via the United States Postal Service.

The stamp price hasn't been increased in 2 1/2 years, after all.

The new 45-cent price for Forever stamps goes into effect Jan. 22 across the U.S. If you had a hectic holiday season and are still looking at those Christmas-turned-New-Year's cards—along with those cute 44-cent holiday stamps—now through Saturday is a good time to send them off. Because those stamps aren't forever. 

Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing include:

• Letters (1 oz.): 1-cent increase to 45 cents
• Letters additional ounces: unchanged at 20 cents
• Postcards: 3-cent increase to 32 cents
• Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.): 5-cent increase to 85 cents.
• Letters to other international destinations: 7-cent increase to $1.05

Prices also will change for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services, according to the USPS.

However, Express Mail and Priority Mail prices won't be affected. First-Class Mail Presort mailers will go up in price, but the second ounce is free. Also, customers can get a special three-month pricing option for short-term PO boxes.

More information on the new pricing is here.

And new for all customers is a three-month pricing option to rent Post Office Boxes, perfect for people on the move and others who need a PO Box for a short time period.

Los Altos' post offices are at . and in .

The Postal Service doesn't get tax dollars for operating expenses. It relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. The change in stamp prices is intended to increase the Postal Service's revenue.