The price of a first-class stamp goes up a penny today, reaching 42 cents.

Postage rates went up this time last year, with a first-class stamp jumping two cents to 41 cents.

Rates also increased for other postal services, including certified, international, and priority mail.

The Postal Service says it's produced an extra 1.5 billion one-cent stamps to accommodate people trying to use up their 41-cent stamps.

A new law allowing the U.S.P.S. to adjust rates each year means customers are probably in for another hike in 2009 as well.

However, customers also have the option of the "Forever" Stamp, which is sold at the going rate and then can used to mail a letter even after the price goes up. Officials say they sold 64 million "Forever" Stamps a day in April.