[BogeyBoy]

The Forever stamp is a great way to buy now for future use.

At today's exchange rates here's the cost of mailing a letter first class in other countries:

Great Britain - .53 cents, going to .57 soon
Canada - .44 cents
Japan - .82 cents
Mexico - .49 cents
Switzerland - .87 cents
Australia - .39 cents

The advertisements (aka Junk) that you receive in the mail are quite frequently dropped right at the local post office or distribution center to get the best rates. All the post office has to do is handle them locally. That's why you pay for first class - the post office takes your mail from The Villages and delivers it all the way to Alaska, or anywhere in between, for your 44 cents. From the recent reports of financial problems at the post office maybe they will go out of business. FedEx will be glad to deliver your letter to Alaska, their cheapest rate is $50.60.