As the cost of postage continues to rise and simply buying a book of ten stamps approaches ten pounds many people are turning their backs on traditional means of communication and are turning instead towards emailing and messaging to keep in touch. Although there are some instances where we still need to post a letter or form to a company for the majority of the time this can be done via email. Even sending copies of legal documents can be done digitally now with the advent of digital signing applications.

For a long time now writing a letter to a friend or family member has been mostly replaced with instant messaging as the ability to send pictures, gifs and voice recordings has made the experience more appealing although for some of us the excitement of receiving a hand-written letter through the post is still palpable.

As we approach the time of year when many of us send Christmas cards to our friends and family members there may be some who decide this year to cut back on the number of cards they send because of the cost of postage. Sending digital Christmas greetings has become popular (and far easier) and ordering gifts that are sent directly to the recipient cuts out the need to send them through the post with many companies also gift wrapping the present before dispatching it. So, with all these innovative ways to avoid paying postage costs we have to ask ourselves how long will the postal service survive?