System and method for storing, retrieving and automatically printing postage on mail

A general purpose processor-based system for printing a postage meter stamp with a desired amount of postage onto a piece of mail, said system comprising:

• means for removeably coupling a postage storage device to said system;
• means controlled by a particular general purpose processor for handshaking with said postage storage device and retrieving information from said coupled postage storage device, said information including a total amount of postage stored in said postage storage device;
• means for automatically calculating a correct amount of postage for said piece of mail as a function of mailing parameters entered into said system and particular to said piece of mail;
• means for automatically deducting said correct amount of postage from said total amount of postage;
• and
• means for formatting data to be sent to a word processing program, said word processing program operable to print said meter stamp with said correct amount of postage on a general purpose printer coupled to said system.