Buy postage stamps at a discount

TMV has a story today about a postal carrier who was arrested for stealing postage stamps:

Postal agents confronted John Auito on April 30 outside his home in Macomb. He told agents that he typically sold the stamps at a 15 percent discount. Auito contacted people who had participated in stamp auctions on eBay. The 42-year-old Auito is charged with stealing stamps that were being shipped to retailers in his delivery area...

What is most interesting (and not mentioned in the article because most people don't know this) is that anyone can buy postage stamps at approximately a 10-15% discount. You just need to find the local stamp collectors club in your community (check at the local library). Collectors of U.S. stamps often sell their surplus items at discounts; you may have to frank your envelope with a 33c + 6c + 5c rather than use a 44c stamp, but if you can buy those 44c worth of stamps for 39c, and if you mail lots of letters, it can be worthwhile.