Starting Monday, you'll pay more to mail a letter. The cost of a stamp is going up to 44 cents.

If you buy forever stamps before Monday, you'll pay the lower rate and can use them after the increase.

Postal officials estimate the increase will cost the average household $3.00 a year. But the increase isn't likely to solve the agency's budget problems.

So far this year, the U.S. Postal Service has a $2.3 billion deficit. The agency has asked Congress to allow it to cut Saturday delivery.

It's possible the post office could run out of money before the end of the budget year on September 30th.