Martin Lewis shares easy trick to help you save money at Christmas – but you have just weeks to act

MARTIN Lewis has shared an easy trick to help people save money at Christmas, though you need to act fast.

The MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder shared a reminder for people to stock up on stamps before they increase in price.

First-class stamps will go up from £1.10 to £1.25 on October 2.

It means people will soon pay even more to send post.

He said: “For years, every time stamps go up in price I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance, as provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it’s still valid after the hike.

“This has been an effective tactic, as a first-class letter stamp is now £1.10, soon to be rising to £1.25 – in 2012 it was just 60p.

“So you may as well stock up now, even if it’s just for Christmas cards for the next few Christmases.” 

A pack of four first class stamps costs shoppers £4.40, but from October 2, that same amount will cost you £5 – that’s a 60p increase.

While a pack of eight stamps currently set you back £8.80, they’ll soon cost you £10 – that’s a £1.20 increase.

As Christmas is a time when people tend to send more letters in the post, you might want to consider stocking up before October 2.

Royal Mail said first class stamps were rising in price as it faced “increasing cost pressures”.

It also said the lack of reform of the universal service obligation (USO) had contributed to the need to hike prices.

The USO forces Royal Mail to deliver letters six days a week to all 32million UK addresses for the same price.

Second class stamps will remain at the same price – 75p.

Earlier this year, Royal Mail ousted old-style stamps and replaced them with barcoded ones in July.

The business said the move would make letters more secure.

Anyone who still has these old-style stamps and uses them may have to pay a surcharge.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.