Cherokee County residents will be paying a little more to send mail starting today.

The price of a first class stamp is now 49 cents, up from 46 cents.

This is the third time the price has been raised since 2011.

The three-cent increase means a book of 20 stamps will cost 60 cents more, rising from $9.20 to $9.80.

Officials with the U.S. Postal Service say the price increase is needed to keep up with inflation and to make up some of the billions of dollars in annual losses.

Two billion fewer pieces of mail were sent in 2013 than during the year before.

Bulk mail, periodicals and package service rates will jump by six percent.

In a bid to save money smaller rural post office locations have already reduced service hours and the postal service is also calling for an end to Saturday mail delivery and a reduction in payments on retiree health benefits.

The service reported a loss of $5 billion during its last fiscal year.