Postal Arbitrage

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Postal Arbitrage

As of 2025, a stamp for a letter costs $0.78 in the United States. Amazon Prime sells items for less than that… with free shipping! Why send a postcard when you can send actual stuff?

I found all items under $0.78 with free Prime shipping — screws, cans, pasta, whatever. Add a free gift note. It arrives in 1 or 2 days. Done.

You’re not only saving money. It’s about sending something real. Your friend gets a random can of tomato sauce with your birthday note attached. They laugh. They remember you. They might even use it!

Prices updated 4 minutes ago

$0.18		Volkswagen Rivet – N038-549-4
$0.25		Lime
$0.42		Kool-Aid Unsweetened Tropical Punch Powdered Drink Mix, 0.16 oz. Packet
$0.42		Case-Mate – Case for 2009 LG Xenon – Marsala
$0.45		Amazon Grocery, Brown Gravy Mix, 0.87 Oz (Previously Happy Belly, Packaging May Vary)
$0.47		Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, Beef, 3 oz
$0.49		Lemon
$0.50		LA MODERNA, Vermicelli Pasta, 7 oz (Pack of 1) \| Enriched Durum Wheat Semolina \| Kosher, Non-GMO, Iron and Vitamin-Fortified \| Thin Vermicelli Noodles for Soups, Broths, and Quick Meals
$0.56		Russet Potato, 1 Each
$0.58		Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint in Assorted Colors (2 Ounce), 20504 Black
$0.70		Amazon Grocery, Tomato Sauce, 8 Oz (Previously Amazon Fresh, Packaging May Vary)
$0.77		Yoplait Original Low Fat Strawberry Yogurt Cup, Made with Real Fruit, 6 oz

In 2023, I ordered $1 cans of beans to a bunch of extended family members. It ignited our family group chat for a few weeks and everyone was super into it. Pictures of beans started rolling in. Then they started sending random stuff to each other. An asbestos warning label, cookies, a tin of sardines. Someone even sent a pregnancy test to my grandmother.