I don't get much mail of value these days. Sure, it's very considerate that credit card companies are pre-approving me for a card with a huge limit, or loan companies are constantly offering to help with my student loans by giving me another loan.

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Few things are more touching than receiving something handwritten in the mail. For me, that usually happens three times a year: at Christmas, Valentine's Day, and my birthday. My grandma has sent a card in the mail for all dates without fail since I was a little kid.

⬇️10 WORST CITIES FOR POSTAL WORKER DOG BITES⬇️

 

Baby's hand holding Christmas card
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However, how the gifts she sends are delivered is getting an important change from the United States Postal Service (USPS). The USPS has been modernizing, and as a result, four changes have gone into effect this month related to shipping packages through this service.

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Delivering For America

The "Delivering for America" 10-year plan, which started in 2021, is a plan $40 billion investment plan to bring the postal service into a modern age. This includes "modernizing our vehicle fleet", investing in new technology like parcel sorting equipment and mobile devices for carriers, and more. You can read the entire plan here.

 

The U.S. Postal Service Makes Announcement About Making Its Postal Service Vehicle Fleet Electric
Photo of an electric USPS vehicle, one of the changes coming with the Delivering for America plan. / Getty Images
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January 2025 Price Changes

On January 19th, the following price changes took effect:

  • USPS Ground Advantage: 3.9% average increase
  • Priority Mail service: 3.2% average increase
  • Priority Mail Express service: 3.2% average increase
  • Parcel Select: 9.2% average increase.

It's important to note this will NOT affect postage stamp prices or First-Class Mail. Stamp prices already rose from 68 cents to 73 cents back in July 2024. This price increase is meant to "keep the USPS competitive" and "reverse a projected $160 billion in losses over the next 10 years".

Post Office Deals With Busiest Mail Day
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10 Worst States for Postal Worker Dog Bites

According to the U.S. Postal Service, these 10 states lead the nation when it comes to postal worker dog bites.

Gallery Credit: jrwitl

These Are Items That Are Prohibited or Restricted To Mail By USPS

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