'Forever Stamps' help save a penny

ATLANTA — Forever means forever. Truly, says the United States Postal Service. Although the cost of a first-class stamp jumps a penny Monday, from 41 to 42 cents, you can use your "Forever Stamps" purchased prior to that to send a letter, even after the price change and with no additional postage. "No matter when you buy it, it is always good," said David Partenheimer, a Postal Service spokesman.

Customers appear to be going out of their way to pinch their pennies. Two weeks ago, the Postal Service was selling 30 million Forever Stamps per day nationwide. The number doubled to 60 million a day last week, the Postal Service reported.

More than 6 billion Forever Stamps have been sold since the post office introduced the product in April 2007.

How much: A Forever Stamp to send a first-class, 1-ounce letter costs 41 cents until midnight. The price then rises to 42 cents.

Stocking up: If you plan to hoard Forever Stamps, consider your options. The Postal Service is phasing out vending machines nationwide, due to aging machines with obsolete parts. The Postal Service has ramped up supply but can't always predict customer demand.

Where to purchase: Post offices, Automated Postal Centers, online at www.usps.com, or by calling 1-800-782-6724.

Ann Hardie writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.