You Can't Triple Stamp a Double Stamp

Recently while out with some friends, I posed the question “does anyone know how much a stamp costs?”  I don’t think anyone had the right answer.  Answers ranged everywhere from 39 cents to “what’s a stamp?”

So I figured I would share with you things I learned today while shopping for stamps.  First stop, The Post Office:

• A regular first class stamp costs $0.46 – just make it $0.50 nice round number, no one really sends that much mail any more to make 4 cents a big deal.
• The only stamps you can buy at the post office are either a) rectangular white labels with a QR reader bar-code from the machine, at least they last forever or b) $0.55 tiger stamps.  There were like 3 others to choose from, I wanted the earthscapes forever stamps but they weren't in stock.   That’s the selection at the Main Post office mind you, not a small local branch but the main NYC post office.  

BOOORING!

• I found out you can buy stamps at Duane Reade and CVS, wonder what kind of selection they have.

So I turned my search to online, since even though I don’t really care about what stamps I use, the bar-code ones seem so boring.  I’d take the flag or Statue of Liberty stamps over these any day.

• There are now also “Global Forever” stamps.  I don’t send mail internationally, but if you do, I can see stocking up on these $1.10 stamps saving you money in the long run.  Also, they are circular which I think is cool looking.
• You can buy 46 cent kaleidoscope flower stamps in packs of 3,000 or 10,000.  That’s a lot of stamps.
• When you order stamps online, shipping costs $1.25.  Really.  They can’t just take one of the stamps I just bought, stick it on the envelope with stamps and put it in the mail? Or charge me $0.46 shipping?  

Anyone have any Shariously great stamp stories?

On New Years Resolutions

I'm not too big on resolutions - I always think about the usual things, be healthier, be nicer, take more risks, have fun but don't really set specific goals.

For years, I have been a big opposer of bottled water; I've only purchased a handful of bottles in dire circumstances over the past few years and always turn down offers of bottled water at meetings, parties or elsewhere.  I trust in tap (mostly, the exceptions are a story for another day).  Also, in those few instances where I do buy it, I make sure it's never Dasani or Aquafina which is essentially the tap water at the Coke bottling facility being run through a giant brita filter.

If you'd like to learn more about bottled water I highly recommend this video:

If I do decide to make some resolutions this year, reducing my footprint on this planet, and educating others about climate change will be added to my list above.  One goal I can set with confidence though: no drinking from bottled water.  I would like to expand this to not drinking anything from small plastic containers, but I know that will be harder. 

A Shariously New Year to all.  Leave me comments about your resolutions.  And don't forget you can make resolutions at any time, not just once a year.  

Happy New Year!

I hope your 2013 is starting off great.

We rang in the New Year at a fun house party with new and old friends and had an all-around fun night that I hope reflects the year to come.

To a Shariously great 2013 and many good things to come.