We bought the very first “Forever” stamps that cost 40¢ each.  Currently, the cost to mail a letter is 73¢.  On July 13, it will be 78¢.  Yikes!  Forever stamps may not have the collector value like old stamps but they are a great investment, especially since increases for sending things through the US Postal Service have been increasing faster and higher.

And yet, it is still the most economical way to send a letter,  Also, to use those flat rate priority envelopes and boxes are reasonable, imo.

And now, the USPS has introduced “Forever” flat rate priority mail boxes and envelopes at today’s prices.  I just purchased “Forever” flat rate priority padded envelopes (such a useful medium) at $10.85 each.  The kicker is you must order a minimum of 10 and submit your return address when making the purchase.  They can only be ordered online and will be delivered to you free of charge.  $108.50 seems like a lot to spend but it will be awhile before I use them all and I wouldn’t be surprised if those flat rate boxes and envelopes jump up in price in the very near future.  Large flat rate boxes are currently $26.30 and medium flat rate boxes are $19.15.  These are also available with “forever” preprinted labels, with a minimum of 10 boxes online.

This is spending now to save tomorrow.  It is kind of difficult at first, but in a few years, it will be something that we will wish we all did.

Here are the details from the USPS.com website about them:

Like regular flat rate envelopes and boxes, Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate Packaging comes in various sizes and shapes. 
Description:

• Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging is a domestic Shipping Services option. All Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging is equivalent to the current price paid at retail Post Office™ locations and compares to the Forever Stamp in that it can be used even after the price of Priority Mail has increased.
• This product includes USPS Tracking® service at no additional cost, which allows mailers to confirm the delivery of their packages.

Availability:

• Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging is not available at retail Post Office locations. It must be purchased with a credit card by logging on to the USPS® website at https://store.usps.com/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=prepaid-priority-mail&categoryNavIds=shipping-supplies%3Aprepaid-priority-mail.
  • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging is offered for the following retail Priority Mail Flat Rate products:
    • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Legal Flat Rate Envelope
    • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Padded Flat Rate Envelope
    • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Small Flat Rate Box
    • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Medium Flat Rate Box
    • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Medium Flat Rate Side-Loading Box
    • Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Large Flat Rate Box
  • Packages will arrive with shipping labels and Forever Prepaid postage affixed. The Forever Prepaid shipping labels will bear “permit-like” postage meters, which denote the Forever Prepaid postage, and the purchaser’s return address will appear in the uppermost left corner of the label. This shipping label may not be removed from the existing Flat Rate packaging and placed on any other packaging.
• The discounted military Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is not available as a Forever Prepaid packaging option, but all Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging may be sent to APO/FPO/DPO destinations, although no APO/FPO/DPO discounted prices will apply.
• Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging is not available to international destinations.
• USPS-produced packaging is not eligible for shipping mailable hazardous material or live animals.
  • Note: USPS Ground Advantage^® and USPS Connect^® Local USPS-produced packaging may be used for shipping mailable hazardous material.

Extra Services:

• All extra services available with retail Priority Mail service are available with Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging.

Return Policy:

• All purchases of Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate boxes and envelopes are Non-Refundable. Additionally, they cannot be returned to your local Post Office.