[Villages Kahuna]

Why I didn't discover this sooner is beyond me.

Whether shipping eBay items or gifts to the grandkids, the USPS Flat Rate boxes are terrific. They have a couple of sizes that ship for $9.30 and a larger one that ships for $12.95. The weight limitation is such that you wouldn't be able to carry the thing if you approached the max.

As far as postage is concerned, either eBay or the USPS website itself permits you to print your postage right on your printer. Then you simply print it and tape it to the package and it's ready to drop in the box. Once you do it once or twice, you'll conclude as I did that it's the only way to go. You don't need a scale if you use the Flat Rate boxes. If you use another type of box, you will need to weigh it to calculate the proper amount of postage. Small scales are readily available at Staples or Office Depot.

Now, about mailing, if you print your own postage, you don't even have to go to the Post Office. Of course, you can drop your packages off at your mail station when you go to get your mail or take a swim. But you can also call the Post Office and they will send a carrier by your house and pick up however many packages you have to mail--even just one!--at no charge. You don't even have to be home. I just tell them to grab whatever is sitting outside by the front door and they disappear like a genie was there!

If you're uncomfortable with all this technology, the self-ship scale-station at the main Lady Lake Post Office is also a Godsend. It's open 24 hours a day. Just bring your package, throw it on the scale, follow the instructions on the touch screen, stick in your credit card, and drop it in the box. I guarantee there are no lines if you go about 10 PM!

It's kind of hard to imagine why anyone would ever go to Villages Pack And Ship again.