How are things going @momofsmartdancer? How are things with your daughter?
Iām way behind, but I have a question. I remember a few months back we discussed using the USPS regional rate boxes at a shipping discount. Iām pretty sure, at the time, I even did a test run creating a shipping label and found the regional option. However, today all Iām seeing is the regular flat rate prices. Anyone recall how this works? I thought I did it on the regular USPS site, but now my googling makes it seem like I have to sign up for a stamps.com or shipping easy account? @mommdc @lifegarding I think you may have been in that original discussion. Thanks in advance for any tips/advice!
Edited to add: I may have figured it out. For others who try this option, when you are creating your label, enter a package weight instead of clicking the āuse flat rateā option. Thatās when the regional options show up.
Now, to figure out if I can actually fit everything I want in the medium/regional box, or if I have to upgrade to the large flat rate box. (Actually, it might still be cheaper to send 2 regional rate boxes.)
I pick up my boxes for regional priority from the post office and mail them from there. But I think there is like a $2 surcharge now.
Last year when I sent the package it was cheaper. But $8 is still a great price and my D got it in one day!
^, ^^I do not remember this discussion at all, and will have to find it in the thread. Intriguing and painful at the same time.
@Waiting2exhale here you go!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19901479#Comment_19901479
we talked about it in August
Yes, @mommdc, I went back immediately and did a search, and began to read the posts and comments. The site itself is hella confusing to me.
So this is used for relatively small and small-to-medium small boxes, as I can see. I rarely use shipping for things within those dimensions these days.
I will keep this information in mind, though, and maybe order some boxes ahead of time. Thanks.
I learned recently that I can ship packages through the company mail room at work at discounted rates. I havenāt tried it yet, but a coworker says itās cheaper than USPS flat rate. Maybe others have this option, but werenāt aware of it either.
I think the box I send is 12x10 and nice for a care package. I think you can ship up to 20 lbs weight.
I ordered regional boxes & have sent a few. They ended up not being as cost effective as I had originally thought.
We have a very nice postal worker & one time she said that flat rate can often be a better choice than regional.
It does depend on distance I think. We are not that far so it has worked out well.
When I went to ship some items to my daughter, which included two pairs of sneakers sheād left behind and a sweater she finally found use for - it is very collegiate looking- when the young woman at UPS told me the price, I asked her if that was in American money. She did not find that funny.
For shipping merely those items, I would certainly try to use the regional box service we are talking about here.
I remember the first time I discovered I could send the books I was always amassing and giving as gifts through the media mail service at the post office. It changed my life. 
Weāve used the regional shipping service 3 times since someone was kind enough to share information about it. Since our son is in the same zone, itās works great because I can drop the package off as late as 4:30 pm at our post office and it gets to his dorm mailbox by the next day (sometimes even early that morning). Itās a great way to ship stuff he needs right away, like a replacement bank card and a little cash after he lost his wallet. To get the shipping rate, you do need to select a packing weight, then scroll down and it shows the regional option as long as you print at home.
Enjoying our sonās first weekend visit home since Augustā¦he came with us to see D18ās musical last night, and heās spent a good portion of the time just hanging out with us and helping shuttle D18 around (which she loves). It will be hard to bring him back tomorrow to campus. One of the nicest parts, though, was the 3 hour drive home with him Friday because we ended up catching up a lot on how things are going for him at campus. Iām actually looking forward to our long drive back tomorrow (except that i have to then drive back home by myself afterwards :().
I donāt know how my mom sends me things but she does. there was a shooting at a mall near me but thankfully no one was injured.
I agree @lifegarding the drive time is a great time to hear all about campus! Enjoy the rest of your visit!
@readingclaygirl - glad everyone is safe! My son goes to school near you, so I always think of you both when anything happens in the area. Hugs to you!!
Thank you! @auntiek
Had a great visit to DS this weekend! I think he misses steak, I mean family, dinners. 
It was good for DD to finally see his campus and he did a nice job of showing her around.
I wish we could have spent a bit more time just hanging out and met more of his friends. I was really hoping for some Christmas gift ideas. Not even one. :-??
Is he coming home at Thanksgiving @Cheeringsection ?
Yes, he will be home. I would have loved to have spaced the visits but the trip was really tied to his performance. We would not have wanted to miss it! I owe Christmas ideas to my side of the family by Thanksgiving and he is not the easiest to buy for so I was hoping for that āhe really could use Xā moment.
I bet money or a gift card would be welcome