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posted: 10/01/08 at 3:24 AM
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| The price for the "flate rate box" is now 10.80 for me I just got home from the post office so I am sure that is the pirce. This is kinda expensive for me tho, one the box is too small, two it's only 20 lbs, if you mail 20 lbs for 10.80 then it's not bad but if it's just food or clothing for 10.80 is not worth it, and plus with them being gone a whole year long I would like to ship one or two box every month and that could really add up. This is very new for me, coming from germany all this carepackage is all free, I could send any box size any weight and it was all free. And now I have to pay... it's a really big change. Just wanted to get this out, if anyone has any other way of mailing care package please share.
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posted: 10/01/08 at 3:52 AM
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You don't have to use the flat rate box. I actually haven't used any yet. Most of the time the stuff I send weighs less than 5 pounds, so I use a regular priority mail box. Usually costs me $6 or $7.
Hope this helps!
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RIP Deployment #2 - 8/08-2/09
RIP Deployment #3 - 9/09 - 12/09
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posted: 10/02/08 at 8:24 PM
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I've been sending 3-12 boxes/mo for 2 years to "adopted" Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, so have the whole mailing thing down to a routine.
I always use the flat rat boxes (FRBs) unless the items(s) are oversized or really lightweight. I have several times compared the rates by packing in the FRBs and then repacking the same items in regular boxes (charged by size and weight instead of flat rate). Unless it's really lightweight stuff, the rate has always been less to use FRBs even if it takes several. My postmaster is extremely helpful (even donates things for me to send out!) and told me that's been her experience too. She's the one who pointed out that one of my standard boxes at regular rate would be $29, but if I repackaged it into 2 FRBs it would only be $18 (that was before rate increase last spring).
I also send a lot of the Priority Mail envelopes with a magazine, a puzzles book, a card or letter, a couple of small snacks, and as many individual drink mix packets as will fit without making it bulge too much. This is only $4.95 to send.
I never use packing peanuts - way too messy and if it's dry and static-y they stick to everything and drive you crazy! I fill in spaces with newspapers, individual drink mix pkts, socks, individual pkts of nuts, or other small items. I use every tiny bit of space. The individual drink mix pkts are the best packing materials in my opinion - they fill small crevices and give a bit of cushioning. Plus the men/women love em. I get them at Walgreen's or Dollar General for $1/box of 8-10.
Order Free Military Mailing Kit with Flat Rate Boxes from USPS. You can also get free priority mail tape for sealing boxes.
Tips for sending care packages on www.anysoldier.com. Very helpful forums as well.
Additional themed care package ideas for inspiration.
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posted: 10/06/08 at 11:57 PM
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how long it takes to get there?? ( Iraq )
im sending my first care package today ( prolly tomorrow ) but i have no idea how long is gonna take .. cause, i've sent him 2 letters, in the past 2 weeks and he havent get them yet. ( wich aggravates the s#!t out of me )
another question, do the boxes get all messed up ( like in bad shape ) during the way?
any other tips?
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Wedding Ticker from WhenIsMyWedding.com
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posted: 10/07/08 at 12:24 AM
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Delivery time depends on where it's going. I've seen as little as 6(!)-9 days to large bases like Anaconda (Iraq) and Bagram (Afghanistan) but times vary depending on what's going on in the area and the season. Around holidays it takes a bit longer. It also usually takes longer (10-15 days and more) to get to remote FOBs or COPs with delivery by roads. If air dropped from a plane, it actually gets there faster than by road.
You may have to add in extra time if your guy has to come in to a larger FOB to pick up mail. Some of my units only pick up mail every 2 or 3 weeks so if they miss delivery by a day, that adds a lot more time.
I tape up boxes really well, with tape over all edges and have never had a problem with them being torn up.
One cause of delays is customs forms which are not correctly or fully completed. Dont trust the PO employee on this, either because I've been told all sorts of wrong info and assured that the forum doesn't need to be filled in (which is incorrect and will delay or stop your shipment). Be sure to fill in To, From, Contents, Total Value, check Airmail/Priority, check Gift, check Redirect to Address Below and add "Chaplain or C.O." with the same addy as your guy, and sign and date.
Make sure the PO employee adds the Total Weight, Total Postage $, and stamps ALL SIX copies of the form. And get a payment receipt in case you ever need to track a package. I hear there's a new system for tracking missing pkgs after 60 days on the mil side but haven't had to use it yet.
Check the links in my last post for mailing tips. The forums on that site have a lot of good info, too.
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posted: 10/14/08 at 9:02 PM
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" Surviving the Sandstorms"- Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chapstick;
Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc
"Laundry Load"- Laundry soap (`sample size' or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes….in case there are no washer/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze
"Lotta Java"- Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar;
International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee
"Thanks a Million!"- Things that may "seem" expensive. Ex: Grey
Poupon; electronic game of "Who wants to be a Millionaire?"; .
"Hang in There!"- Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn't have to be refrigerated);Monkey's in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.
"A Day at the Beach! "- sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip
flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;
"Medicine Cabinet"- aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D
ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.
"Staying Healthy"- nutrition/health bars (ex: Powerbar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink(to stay hydrated);
"MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit"- restaurant size condiment packs of: bbq sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc
"Correspondence Carton"- notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back once it is full);
"Action Hero's"- Powerbars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines; comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc
"To Be A Kid Again"- silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee's; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc);
"Bathroom in a Box"- TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc
"Ruck Sack Snack Pack"- packed full of your loved one's favorite snacks….possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M's; nuts; chips; dips; crackers; jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc.
"Breakfast on the GO"- nutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang;
"Tube O Tasties"- Just as something different…send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.
"Stress Reliever"- back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo's; bubbles; squeezy tension ball;
"Sloppy Kisses"- since we know chocolate melts over there….send a bunch of Hershey's kisses. Bound to be "sloppy kisses!"
"I'm Nuts About You"- peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter's; Peanut Lover's Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts
"Rock On" or "Charlie ROCK"- pop rocks; music cd's
"Chili Today, Hot Tamale"- hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can; Tums/Rolaids ,Jalapeño Ritz;
"And this little piggy went to the sandbox"- (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl's boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers; scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)
"How do you eat your OREOS??!! "- regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos
"Muchas Gracias…Nachos Supreme"- Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don't forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapenos (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they
also have tortilla's in those dinner kits that are sealed so they would
probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme
kit
"Sweet Tooth"- Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls;
Lolli pops; (any candy that won't melt)
"Pamper Party" (for females)- Feminine hygiene products;
shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their
hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors;
facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products
(alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc);
"Congrats on your promotion"- congratulation party favors; all your loved
ones favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course);
etc.
"For the Fisherman"- Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon;
cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine;
electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing
game toy (made by several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole
with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths);
"Say CHEEEESE!"- disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheese
nips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta;
"Kick Back & Relax"- Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd's;
crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic
games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board
games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc);
"Christmas in July"- wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper;
peppermint flavored hard candies;
"Italian Stallion"- Italian cheese Ghardetto's; Pizza-licious
Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo's; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce
(for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc;
"American Classics"- Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; Necco Wafers;
Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes
"Deployed on Thanksgiving"- canned turkey; instant mashed potato cups; hard
breadsticks; gravy in a jar (wrapped in bubble wrap); Hostess apple pies;
small can of corn (or other veggie); something special to cheer them up on
Thanksgiving (pictures from home; magazines; tape recorded tape; small
scrapbook; etc)
http://www.cafepress.com/silentranksshop/2000833
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"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damages morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, quickly tried and hanged!!!" -- President Abraham Lincoln
Deployment #1 - DONE!!!!
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posted: 10/20/08 at 9:29 PM
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| Wow, these are great ideas. My fiance never tells me what to send to him. My kids and I just send things we think he would like. I send a lot of letters. It usually takes at least a week if not longer for my packages to get to him in Iraq. However, I sent out a package at the end of September for his birthday in October, he had in in four days. I was completely shocked. I have always sent my packages just regular priority and it usually only cost me like 6 or 7 dollars. I didn't know about the flat rate boxes though. Thanks, now I can have other family pitch in maybe. He would love that.
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I married the love of my life, my best friend, my hero!
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posted: 01/16/09 at 6:08 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by MarineWife17
Hi everyone. I'm new here and I'm a proud Marine Corps wife with her husband in Iraq....
I didn't know if anyone knew this but if you go the the US postal service website and go to the packing and shipping stuff, you can order APO/FPO boxes, customs labels... just about anything you need (minus the packing peanuts) and it comes regular mail straight to your door! That way you aren't going to the post office, getting a box (or going to any other store really), taking it home, packing it, using that precious liquid gold called gas to take it back up to the post office and ship it off....
And best of all.... the boxes and labels and whatnot are all FREE!
The bad part about the boxes though is that you can only order them in packages of 10 and 25... I ordered the 25 because we both have large families and I know that they would like to send him stuff... and I'm almost done with all the boxes and my hubby's only been gone 6 weeks!
Just thought I'd share that with all of you!
That's awesome that you are almost out of boxes and he's only been gone six weeks...I suppose that is one dedicated wife! mine hasn't left yet, so we shall see what it will be like in my house when the time comes. GOD bless and thanks it made me giggle a little to read that =)
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~`Luvnmy~Husband`~
MyHotComments
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posted: 10/19/08 at 4:50 AM
