By EDWARD L. HALE

Mr. Thrifty Correspondent

Everyone has experienced the increase in gasoline prices and the cost of groceries. Now citizens will find another increase in everyday living expenses when they purchase a stamp at the post office.

Mailing a letter will soon cost a penny more. The cost of a first-class stamp will rise from 41 cents to 42 cents starting May 12, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

More postal customers are discovering the Forever stamp, which was introduced in 2007 and is currently selling for 41 cents. Forever stamps can be used basically forever. The price of the Forever stamp will go up at the same time, meaning those stamps purchased before May 12 can still be purchased for 41 cents, but will remain good for first-class postage after the rate increase takes effect.

People can make an estimated determination as to how many stamps they will need to mail bills, personal mail, and those holiday cards. The stamp depicts the Liberty Bell with the word "forever" printed on it. There is no limit to how many you can buy. The value on these stamps will always be the one-ounce letter rate and can be used for any future one-ounce letter mailing without extra postage.

According to Barb Host and Lisa Gomer, Carrollton postal sales service associates, the Forever Stamps are selling at a fairly moderate rate and they do have a considerable number of them for customers' needs.

The May 12 postage increase will be the third postage rate change since Jan. 8, 2006, when postage was increased from 37 cents to 39 cents.