How can I save on postage? (using stamps)

[xxanasazixx]

Hi everyone,

Today I went to the post office with my 8.5x11 bubble envelope (contents included a SASE, letter, couple of 5x7 pictures to sign, and a couple pieces of 1/8 cardboard pieces measuring about 7x10, to help keep the package safe and from bending)

The Bubble Envelope weighed 4 oz. The post office employee told me that if I wanted to use forever stamps, it would cost me $3.50 (7 stamps) since it was a "padded/bubble" envelope.

7 Stamps seems ridiculous, as about 5 years ago, I had sent a couple of "Non-Bubble" envelopes out that were about the same size and weight as the one above. Those ones I only had to put 3 stamps on...

Do "Non-Bubble/Padded" Envelopes require less Stamps then the bubble ones do? And if so, by how much?

Thanks!

[rtlighting95]

Bubble mailers are considered packages by the USPS hence the high cost. I would stick to regular manila envelopes. As for the cost, that depends on the weight.

[Hartster]

I've found that a "regular" envelope, containing a photo and protected by cardboard, is costing me about $3.50, also with cardboard as stiffeners. Additionally, I mark it "do not bend," so it goes out as a first-class package.

The stiffness is what the clerk determines as a package or not. I've had clerks ignore the stiffeners and send it regular first-class, which will cost less money, but to be on the safe side (and not have the recipient pay extra postage, as well as to get the tracking that's automatic on a first-class parcel), I've always told them to send it as a package.