The USPS did a blip one time that the 1st class mail would go up Sunday, but if you missed it, you were surprised at the post office. I did find in my gr-gr-grandpa's diary thast it cost $0.50 to send a letter from Council Bluffs, IA. to PA.. It was when he was on his way to the CA. gold rush. We aren't there with the postage, but soon. Sorry to hear about the 30% increase for the out of the US.