Last week, I received an email from the U.S. Postal Service suggesting I might want to pay for my post office box before the rates go up on January 22. The email said I could pay on the website or at my local post office.

Being well informed, I didn’t click on the link in email. On the website, however, my payment wasn’t accepted.

Thursday at the post office and I tried again to pay with no luck. The clerk said you can only pay for your mail box 30 days in advance; mine is due later. Darn.

However, while I was there I spent $155 on stamps: Mississippi river boats, flowers, celebration dots, marine sanctuaries, overseas sunflowers, and, of course, a roll of American flags.

Here are the new prices that go into effect Jan. 22, 2023:

The USPS is also increasing the cost of sending priority mail by about 5.5 percent. Priority mail express will be 6.6 percent more expensive, and first-class package service prices are set to increase by 7.8 percent. Priority mail commercial rates will go up about 3.6 percent.

The USPS generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.

The price increases are due to increased operating expenses, the USPS said on its website. And it also said “The prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.”

For fun, send me a letter to my business mailbox about what consumer issues you need more information on. It’s:

Rita R. Robison

PO Box 1383

Olympia, WA 98507