My friend Elaine is like many of us…she loves to get a good deal. So when her daughter Renee alerted her that the price of stamps was increasing on January 27, she did what any budget-conscious American who thought of it would do: she went online to the USPS site to order Forever stamps before the price went up.

She was amazed by the selection… a veritable smorgasbord of stamps! Why, there were John Lennon, Scooby Doo, Birds in Winter, STEM Education, Sally Ride, Art of Magic, Flowers from the Garden, and even round Ball stamps featuring different sports!

So, she happily clicked away, rejoicing in how much she’d be saving.

While proudly fanning her newly-acquired bouquet of stamps, she related the conversation she’d had with her husband and son upon their arrival.

Elaine: Honey, Renee reminded me the price of stamps is going up, so I bought some Forever stamps.

Husband (barely paying attention): Good idea.

Elaine: They were all so pretty, and I couldn’t decide which to choose, and they were at the forever price of only $.50 instead of $.55…so I bought $142 worth.

Husband (Now, definitely paying attention): You spent $142 on stamps?!!

Elaine: Well, yeah. I mean, Renee pointed out how smart it is to stock up now before the price goes up. And she spent $100.

Husband: But she mails notes and cards out almost every day! How many did you mail last month?

Elaine: Ummmm….Maybe none.

Son: Mom, do you realize you just spent $142 to save $1 per book of stamps?”

It’s a good thing those stamps will be valid forever, because that’s how long they’re gonna last!

P.S. Elaine’s motto is “I’d rather be absolutely ridiculous than boring, so as “an angel who takes herself lightly,” she gave me permission to share this anecdote.

Originally published in Beyond the Nest’s free weekly newsletter of Arts, Culture and Recreation in Greater Rochester and Beyond. Click here to sign up for your free newsletter .