I think option 3 would be better than sending US$, although I have seen people have success with this method.

Our prices tend to rise in April, but if you use 1st/2nd stamps these are like US Forever stamps, so put plenty of those on and you should be fine.

This is the first year of our post office being a private company, this might be what your friend meant by the change. I have not heard anything about things being changed in any major way.

Honestly i'd have your friend get you a book of 1st or 2nd stamps, Simple and will not take anywhere near months.

Then, when you have the stamps and are ready to send, check out the Royal Mail website's price calculator, to see the current price for you item, and put enough stamps on your SASE to cover it (current values of which ever stamps you have will also be there).

Trying to send 2 requests from the USA to the UK. I have done it before with Gordon Ramsay and included $3 but it feels weird. I've read around here and none of the traditional options really seem easy/viable.

1. USPS does not offer IRCs anymore.

2. My bank charges $22.50 for currency exchange. (~$40 for two £5 requests) Not happening.

3. Ordering British stamps for airmail seems very confusing. I would have to have my friend there go figure it what I'd need as the postage is supposedly changing soon(?) and then wait for him to send them which could take months in the grand scheme.

Is option 3 more much better than sending USD?