Postage: Approximate amount needed? archived

Based on end-of-the-day math. . . I figure that 15 Sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 28lb. Bond paper will weigh approximately 3.31 Ounces. A regular 9 x 12 24lb. Booklet Envelope weighs about .5 Ounces (Not sure how much a thicker manilla envelope would weigh. . . perhaps 1 ounce?). So my guess would be about 4 1/2 ounces total.

The sheets of paper weigh about 2.4 oz (1 sheet weighs about 4.5 grams). Figure about ounce for the envelope, so about 3.5 ounces. This postal calculator says $1.61.

Hmm.. Another site says copy paper weighs about 6.1 grams per sheet (3.2 oz). Not sure it makes that much of a diff, though. I'd use four stamps to be safe. Postal Calc says 1.82 for 5 oz.

2.4 ounces would be 50lb. Text weight stock. My estimate was based off a 28lb. Bond (which is equivalent to a 70lb. Text).

My "Forever" stamps are worth about 45 cents each I guess.
I am putting 5 stamps on it (just to be sure) and mailing it now!

Thank you all!

Isn't it .46 now? It's hard to remember with Forever stamps, but I'm not complaining.

Aren't Forever Stamps worth whatever the rate is at the time of use and not what you paid for them? I thought they were 49 cents now... but I could be wrong.

Forever stamps are worth the current postage rate, regardless of what you paid for them. Currently $.49 each.

jgberkeley said:

Forever stamps are worth the current postage rate, regardless of what you paid for them. Currently $.49 each.

Exactly what I thought. Thanks @jgberkeley

remember they cannot be used for postage on mail going to any other country

And I caution against just overloading with stamps. I mailed something with what I thought was a generous amount of forever stamps and it never got there....

the post office is suspicious of items with excess postage stamps

That is unfortunate because it is my customary way of mailing packages.

My husband is a stamp collector and receives mail from other collectors and businesses that cater to them. Stamp collector mail is ALWAYS covered with lots of random stamps.

pansyfaye said:

the post office is suspicious of items with excess postage stamps

Why?? Other than bad math skills or a lack of a postage grade scale, what would excessive postage signal?

And, who at the Post Office has the time or would care to look?

jgberkeley said:

pansyfaye said:

the post office is suspicious of items with excess postage stamps

Why?? Other than bad math skills or a lack of a postage grade scale, what would excessive postage signal?

And, who at the Post Office has the time or would care to look?

On packages, it could signal that the person is trying to avoid post office lines. I believe that Ted Kaczynski used this tactic. One of the reasons you are not allowed to mail large packages through mailboxes any more. On letter sized envelopes, it could contain anthrax???

(I know this post will get me flagged by the CIA/FBI/DHS for ever!

sac said:

My husband is a stamp collector and receives mail from other collectors and businesses that cater to them. Stamp collector mail is ALWAYS covered with lots of random stamps.

And those clever dealers are always using postage they obtain for less than face value. Entirely admirable, IMHO.

also note that a large type envelope (9x12 etc) requires two forever stamps for the 1st oz.

oots

marylago said:

On letter sized envelopes, it could contain anthrax???

(I know this post will get me flagged by the CIA/FBI/DHS for ever!

Anthrax doesn't weigh enough to need extra stamps. The anthrax mailed in 2001 that killed five people and infected 17 others was sent in letter-size envelopes with first-class postage.