Free Postcards (With Stamp) from Spongebob

I was at the post office today buying some stamps before the price increase and I saw the cutest display. The USPS has teamed up with Nickelodeon to help promote kids sending real mail. You can pick up free Spongebob postcards from the display and send them anywhere. Not only is the postcard free, it has a stamp on it too. That means you can send them for free. I took a couple to send to my friend Melissa. She's studying for her Bar Exam and can use some motivation right now.

While we're on the subject of the USPS, stamp prices will be going up $0.03 on January 26, 2014. The new price will be $0.49 per stamp. Remember that Forever Stamps are still good so if you're near a post office you might want to consider buying a book before the increase. I just saw Harry Potter stamps today.

Hidden Perk with Magazine Subscriptions

With all the free magazine subscriptions available, it's extremely rare for me to actually purchase a subscription. The one exception since college has been Entertainment Weekly. I know what you're thinking, but yes I am that type of person.

Today I was upset to find my copy of EW ripped in my mailbox. I have a wonderful mail person and I understand that stuff happens occasionally, but it's still upsetting to come home and be unable to read the articles.

I logged on to EW's website to see if I could at least read the touching tribute to Cory Monteith online and found out something really cool. It seems that while not all the magazine's content is online, by subscribing to the magazine I also get the digital issue for a tablet or eReader. While creating my password I found another link that allowed me to report a damaged issue. I was given a choice between having the magazine re-sent or having another copy added to the end of my current subscription. That was really a no brainer. I was able to read these articles online and will get another magazine before I need to renew.

If you have any magazine subscriptions, I highly recommend checking out their websites. You might be surprised about the extra free content you're entitled to or little hidden features like reporting a bad delivery. EW didn't need to replace a magazine that was ripped in transit because they're not responsible for the post office but I'm really impressed that they were not only willing to resend it but made the process so easy.

Stamp Prices Are Going Up Next Week

On January 23, 2013, the price for a first class stamp will go from $0.45 to $0.46. This is only the difference of a penny, but if you're going to be around somewhere that sells stamps this week you might as well stock up.

Forever stamps are great because even when prices go up again, you won't have to search for those annoying penny stamps. A forever stamp will continue to be valid for the current rate.

Leave Non-Perishable Items Near Your Mailbox Tomorrow

Is your kitchen overflowing from your great deals? The USPS wants to help you empty the shelves by donating your non-perishable items to local food shelters. Tomorrow (May 12, 2012) is the annual Stamp Out Hunger campaign and your postal carrier will collect items to be delivered. Just put any donations in a bag and leave it next to your mailbox. That's it. The post office will take care of the rest.

Helping Stamp Out Hunger is as easy as checking your mailbox. Just leave a bag of non-perishable food where your letter carrier normally delivers your mail on Saturday, May 12. Your letter carrier will then pick up and deliver the food to a local food bank. Examples of non-perishable items include:

• Canned soup
• Canned meats and fish
• Canned vegetables, fruits and juices
• Boxed goods (such as cereal)
• Pasta
• Rice