USPS Rate Increase: How Powerful Financial Habits Can Start with Simple Stamps
By Jean-Luc Bourdon, CPA, PFS
The USPS just announced new rates effective July 13th, with Forever Stamps increasing from 73¢ to 78¢—a 5-cent jump. If you mail regularly, now's the time to buy Forever Stamps and lock in today's price.
A 5-cent saving may not sound exciting, but as those classic infomercials say: "Wait, there's more!"
The Hidden Value of Small Savings
We've all heard "a dollar saved is a dollar earned," but that's actually an understatement. A dollar saved is worth more than a dollar earned because earned income gets taxed. If you're in the 22% federal tax bracket with 5% state taxes, you'd need to earn $1.37 to net $1 after taxes.
This means that the 5 cents you save per stamp by buying now, in this example, are equivalent to earning 6.85 cents in pre-tax income.
The Compound Effect of Savings Habits
Building these small savings habits creates a powerful financial mindset. That saved money can be invested and potentially grow exponentially over time. As the saying goes, "mighty rivers begin with small streams."
These postal rate increases happen regularly—they're predictable opportunities to practice smart financial habits. Whether it's stamps, seasonal purchases, online discount codes, credit card rebates, or bulk buying staples, recognizing these moments builds wealth-building muscle memory.
The Psychological Benefits
Saving money activates your brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and creating a sense of achievement. This positive reinforcement encourages repeat behavior and helps savers adopt a positive identity: "I'm disciplined," "I'm responsible." This can boost self-esteem and supports long-term goals.
Even small financial wins, like discounts, can strengthen a "smart shopper" self-image. The act of deciding to save or spend wisely triggers the brain's executive functions, giving people a sense of agency, competence, and control over their future.
Saving money also cultivates delayed gratification, a trait that research links to long-term success and psychological well-being (think the famous marshmallow test). Some savers wait for Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day for planned purchases. This patience-building can shift your mindset toward future planning and hope.
Avoiding the Spending Traps
The key is to save on purchases you'd make anyway, regardless of the discount. Don't fall for the "spending to save" fallacy, where you buy things just because they're on sale. Real savings come from getting better prices on items already in your budget, such as the stamps you'll use over the next year.
Discounts can backfire when they trigger "spending justification"—that feeling of "I saved $30, so I can spend more elsewhere." This mental accounting bias causes us to treat money differently depending on its source or purpose, which can undermine the real benefits of smart saving.
The Bottom Line
Small, consistent savings habits can compound over time into meaningful wealth. It can start with something as simple as stocking up on stamps before a price increase, building momentum toward bigger financial wins and a joyful sense of accomplishment.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any firm or organization. This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial, tax, accounting, or investment advice. Although the author is a CPA and holds the PFS credential, no professional services are being offered through this article. Readers should consult their own qualified advisors before making decisions based on this information. The content may include information from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and may be subject to change without notice.
Copyright: © 2025 Jean-Luc Bourdon, Original text, structure, organization, and editorial revisions created by the human author. The author used AI as a drafting tool, but exercised creative control by rewriting, restructuring, and contributing original analysis, tone, and expression. Disclosure in accordance with U.S. Copyright Office guidance on AI-assisted works.