Tracking My Use Of Forever Stamps

About two months ago I decided to start a spreadsheet to track how many different Forever stamp designs I have used. At the start, I used whatever design the local post office had for sale after all a stamp was a stamp---which most often were the Liberty Bell, flags or later on the 4 words: Freedom, Justice, Liberty and Equality. By 2015, I was tired of the sameness and wanted to "spice it up". Fate took me to the USPS website and there I found contentment, choosing any that caught my eye.

Circus Posters, Reagan, La Florida, Vintage Rose were among my first purchases. Others I have really liked are the Summer Harvest, Elvis, Botanical Art, National Parks, and Andrew Wyeth.

The Forevers that have an intaglio feel are also among my favorites. The most recent Air Mail centennial ones are cool.

As of 11/8/2018, I have used 87 different Forever stamp issues—301 designs. Example: I counted the Liberty Bells as 1 issue, 1 design even though there are different varieties recognized.

By the end of 2018, I will have used 8 more issues with 23 designs if all goes as planned.

Call 'em expensive stickers, USPS cash grabs or what have you—this collector and user likes the various issues.

-MV

Interesting. Do you stock up on Forever Stamps before postage increases to save on postage?

I have in the past and will likely do so again. At the most I have around $100 worth in my stockpile often it's $75 or less.

I forgot to mention in the first post that I've also used the Coastal Birds postcard Forever and a few of the Seashell postcard Forever stamps. As well as the Folk Art Eagle #10 envelopes. I didn't include these in the above count.

-MV

My wife sells used books on Amazon after she reads them so I used her to "launder" my extra stamps. I have considered enclosing an envelope and trying to get someone to send me back the package but have not done so yet. Have used lots of stamps this way. Makes it a lot easier to get the new issues I like.

Christmas card mailing time and I've used the 2018 offerings of Sparkling Holidays, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Madonna & Child by Bachiacca. Plus, I used the single Sparkling Holidays Souvenir Sheet stamp.

Updating my totals as of this post on 12/11/2018: 96 different Forever stamp issues--325 designs.

-MV