You ever peek inside one of those old-school mailboxes—you know, the metal kind with the rounded top and the red flag—and notice that weird little circular shelf inside? Yeah, that thing. I saw one the other day while helping my aunt clean out her shed, and for a second I thought, “Wait… was that for birdseed? A mini cup holder? What is that?”
Turns out, that little ledge had a super practical use back in the day. It was all about leaving change for postage.
Wait, People Used to Leave Money in Their Mailboxes?
Yep. Loose coins. Right there in the box. Unlocked. And no, it wasn’t some sketchy side hustle or a forgotten piggy bank.
Back before we had online postage, forever stamps, or apps to track every envelope from here to Kalamazoo, folks in rural areas had to get a little creative. If you lived out in the country and needed to send a letter but didn’t have the right stamps on hand (and going into town just to buy one felt ridiculous), you’d just stick the letter in the box with a few coins.
see next page
Discover the Refreshing Benefits of Boiled Lemon Peel Water
How To Make Ground Beef Pastry
EASY PAN-FRIED DAIKON RADISH BUN
Greek Shrimp with Orzo and Feta (One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal)
Just a bowl of water can make amazing things happen to your refrigerator
This insect often lives in our bathrooms
How do you keep your kitchen so clean that your friends will want to know your secret?
What is SPAM And What Is It Made of, Anyway
The Psychological Significance of Leaving Dirty Dishes and Why They Shouldn’t Pile Up