I, too, am totally appalled by the cost of mailing things. I love media mail for mailing books but for anything else, it's highway robbery. After reading the comments here am going to explore flat rate mailing envelopes and boxes. May save some $$. There have been times when I had to mail something to one of the grands and I have had my DH do it and made him promise not to tell me what it cost.

mailed a magazine (which meant I could not send book rate because the magazine had advertising) and the activity books oversize so couldn't use flat rate and couldn't go 1st class as together just over a lb. so ended up priority. Exhausting procedure!

i had a 13.5 lb box. i went to UPS at 3:30 on thursday. it got to it's destination, NJ by 1 p.m. it cost me $13.95.
I can't imagine wyat the po would have charged me. UPS is less than a mile away.

Lynnie, flat-rate boxes are up to 70 pounds for one rate, depending on which box you buy at USPS But I think UPS is cheaper. It's just not convenient for me.

Care package to my daughter in USA was 57 euros = usd 67.70 for 4 kg = 8.8 lbs goods.

I have received heavy items through ebay that came with a postage label for a few ounces. But now the post office keeps track of those and will go back and charge the seller the true price. No more cheating the PO.

Also, the last heavy box I sent, went Fedex, and I was surprised at the low price. Check around, there are drop off locations all over if you can print your own label.

Fed x and UPS are delivering across street to that family every day it seems. I see the drivers knock, ring door bell and leave so they give notice.

I buy stamps too and support our letter carriers. I’ve always sent a lot of cards because I consider them personal. Birthday, Anniversary, Sympathy. Who doesn’t like getting a card in the mail ? I went to a funeral of a lady and a granddaughter read a letter she’d received in college from her grandmother. It was just chit chat but it meant so much to hear from her.

I give our service people (mail, garbage, recycle, & janitors) a gift of cash for Thanksgiving and they take notice and will do an extra favor for me with a smile if I need it. I do emphasize handing it to them. Some places forbid them to accept this but why ? It’s between friends.

Postage has become expensive. I try to use the flat rate boxes if I can. The nearest UPS or FED EX is 45 miles away. They are cheaper but by the time I pay the gas and take to time to drive there, I don't save anything,