Should I Invest in Postages
So I got to make this short because I really want to get my homework done, but this is such a great idea that I had to write about it. It's definitely crazy, but what's the value of a forever stamp right now? $0.48. What will the value of a forever stamp be in ten years? Probably more than $0.48. I'm almost certain of it. Probably more like 60 cents and maybe more, since right now USPS is not doing too hot because a lot less Americans are shipping stuff or sending/receiving letters.
So, what am I going to call Pla about tonight? I might put $1,000 in forever stamps, and when the rate of a postage increases by 10%, I'll have $1,100. That's not bad at all and I feel like it's higher and more stable than investing in say index funds or hedge funds, who are lucky enough to get 5% back. And if the idea flops and postage prices never increase, then I can just sell them to other people or businesses who need lots of stamps. The only problem is that I might have to sell them for 47 cents instead of 48, and I'd also have to prove that they are not counterfeit stamps. In which case, I'd lose money, but not a lot since stamps are used a lot, and everyone uses them. I feel like I could sell them pretty easily. And if I tell them the story, they might be interested as well.
So that's that. If Pla and Clayton approve, I might just go buy $1,000 in forever stamps and wait for the price of a stamp to increase. It seems like a better investment than stocks and definitely better than keeping them in the bank.
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Update 4/2/16: President Bush signed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which "ensures that future price increases will be kept below an inflation-based ceiling. In other words, postage hikes will never surpass inflation - and the forever stamp will never become a good investment" (Nathanial Rich via Slate).
So, what am I going to call Pla about tonight? I might put $1,000 in forever stamps, and when the rate of a postage increases by 10%, I'll have $1,100. That's not bad at all and I feel like it's higher and more stable than investing in say index funds or hedge funds, who are lucky enough to get 5% back. And if the idea flops and postage prices never increase, then I can just sell them to other people or businesses who need lots of stamps. The only problem is that I might have to sell them for 47 cents instead of 48, and I'd also have to prove that they are not counterfeit stamps. In which case, I'd lose money, but not a lot since stamps are used a lot, and everyone uses them. I feel like I could sell them pretty easily. And if I tell them the story, they might be interested as well.
So that's that. If Pla and Clayton approve, I might just go buy $1,000 in forever stamps and wait for the price of a stamp to increase. It seems like a better investment than stocks and definitely better than keeping them in the bank.
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Update 4/2/16: President Bush signed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which "ensures that future price increases will be kept below an inflation-based ceiling. In other words, postage hikes will never surpass inflation - and the forever stamp will never become a good investment" (Nathanial Rich via Slate).
