Six Things You Can Get Free From the Post Office

t sometimes seems as if everything costs something these days. I'm surprised they're not charging for water in restaurants these days! It's nice to know the post office still offers some items you can get completely free of charge. Here are some items and services your post office will provide for you completely free:

1. Free Boxes

If you're mailing items via priority mail, your post office will give you your boxes absolutely free. There's even a priority flat rate shipping box available at no charge. You can put all the items you can comfortably fit into the box for one shipping price. They also offer special boxes for mailing videos and CD's free or charge.

2. Free Envelopes

Again, this applies to priority mailings. The post office has several sizes of priority envelopes available free of charge. If you choose the flat rate envelope, you can put as many items in the envelope as it will hold and mail it for a flat rate price. It's great not to have to buy envelopes at your local office supply store just to mail your documents. A simple trip to the post office does the trick.

3. Free tape

If you're mailing items via priority mail, the post office will provide you with special red, white, and blue tape to seal your packages free of charge. It's a great time and money saver! Why pay for tape at your office supply store when the post office will give it to you free? I knew our taxes went to pay for something useful!

4. Free Brochures on building a mail order business.

The post office offers a variety of brochures on how to build a business by mail. I've read some of their literature and have been impressed with the quality of it. At my local post office, I found brochures on building a mailing list, how to save money on shipping costs, how to market a mail order business, and a variety of other helpful information. Next time you're at your local post office, ask if they have free literature available.

5. Free pickup

Many people don't realize it, but your regular postal carrier will pick up packages you need to mail free of charge. You simply call and schedule a pick-up at least 24 hours in advance. Packages must be mailed by either priority or express service and should be already stamped with the appropriate postage when your postal carrier arrives. This is a great way to save time and gas!

6. Free zip code look-up

If you go to the USPS website (http://www.usps.com), you can enter an address and get the zip code and extension for any address quickly and easily. This site also has other useful features such as a quick post office locator, online package tracking, a postage rate calculator, and much more.

It's nice to know in this world where everything has a price, it's nice to know out postal service gives us some useful products and services free of charge!