10 Hidden Holiday Costs to Watch Out For

Shipping Gifts You Can Barely Lift

For gifts that you've bought in an actual brick-and-mortar store, it might seem like there's no way to avoid paying through the nose to get them to the people you love. Not so! Let's say you're sending video games, books and more from Pittsburgh to your nephews in San Jose. The price to send a 30-pound package via parcel post will cost $34.25 and will take seven business days to arrive. If you buy a Priority Mail Flat Rate box from the USPS for $14.95, you won't have to spend another dime, and your nephews will be competing for top scores within three days. The postal worker will even pick it up from your house (and you'll save an extra 75 cents if you buy the box online). The post office has been trying to spread the word about these Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for the past few years, and when sending gifts of ample weight (i.e., not origami kits) and packages long-distance, they can save you time and money. You can use the Postal Price Calculator on the USPS website to find out what shipping option best fits your needs.