How To Save Money At the Post Office

Whether you only visit the post office to mail out bills and letters to friends or you go to ship countless packages from you eBay business, you really can save some dough when you go. It’s no surprise that postage rates are on the rise and will likely continue going up since the cost of fuel and transportation in general is going up all the time. But you don’t have to spend as much as usual if you do a little homework.
Here are some tips that will help save you time and money at the post office:
Weigh Your Own Stuff

People are often surprised by how much their packages cost when they finally get weighed in at the counter. If you are partial to shipping large amounts of packages on a regular basis, you need to have a scale. You can find the weight rates online at the post office website or ask the postmaster for a rate card. When you weigh a package at home, you have the opportunity to repack items to a smaller box or reduce the amount of what you are sending out before sealing up the box. Even letters should be weighed to ensure you are not paying too much for the mail you send. People often slap on a whole other stamp because they think the letter might weight too much. With a scale, there is no guessing.
Choose Packaging Size Wisely

The post office has several flat-fee package rate options that are convenient but often people use them and pay a higher rate than they would if they had used a smaller box. Select your packaging carefully and keep a supply of different sized boxes and envelopes on hand. Don’t be afraid to reuse boxes and envelopes provided you have removed old mailing information or shipping labels. Be sure the new shipping information is clear and legible.
Review Your Options

First class always sounds like the right choice for your shipping needs but if you do a lot of mailing, you may want to consider opting for a different service. For instance, Media Mail is a less expensive option if you are mailing books or movies.
Print Postage Online

You can register with the USPS website and open an account that will allow you to print and pay for your own postage from home. Express and Priority Mail and Express Mail International are services you can print postage for online. These flat-rate packages allow you to stuff them full and still pay one price and you don’t need to make a side trip to the post office for stamps.
 
Schedule At-Home Pickup
In addition to printing from home, the post office will also pick up your posted packages from your home for free. If you want to schedule a specific pick up time, it will cost you $15.30. This service can save you time and money because there is no gas to waste on the trip to the post office.