Author Archives: Tipswatch

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About Tipswatch

Author of Tipswatch.com blog, David Enna is a long-time journalist based in Charlotte, N.C. A past winner of two Society of American Business Editors and Writers awards, he has written on real estate and home finance, and was a founding editor of The Charlotte Observer's website.

The bond market isn’t buying the Fed’s rate cuts

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com As the Federal Reserve continues on a path toward lower short-term interest rates, the bond market isn’t tagging along. Instead, yields on medium- and longer-term Treasurys have been increasing, not falling. The Fed began its latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Tariffs, Treasury Bills | Tagged , , , , | 32 Comments

Morningstar says VTIP is having a ‘lousy’ year. It’s not true.

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Morningstar.com published an article last week singling out three of its favorite ETFs as having “a lousy 2025.” I was surprised to see Vanguard’s Short-term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) listed as one of the three. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ETFs, Inflation, Investing in TIPS | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Car-buying in the age of tariffs

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Tipswatch

Pricing can get a bit tricky. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com In 2026, for the first time, I will be forced by law to take a Required Minimum Distribution from my traditional IRA. That’s bad news, but the good news is: … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Retirement, Tariffs, Taxes | 28 Comments

‘Synthetic’ calculation results in 0.25% inflation for October

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The U.S. Treasury today finally announced a calculated CPI index for October – 325.604 – which equates to monthly inflation of 0.25%. The presumed annual rate ticked higher from 3.0% in September to 3.1% in October. … Continue reading →

Posted in I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Taxes, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Bad news: Medicare costs for 2026 are surging at triple the rate of inflation

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Tipswatch

Part B costs, deductibles and IRMAA surcharges will all increase at least 9.7% next year. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It was bad enough when we learned on Oct. 24 that Social Security benefits would increase 2.8% for beneficiaries in 2026, … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Medicare, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | 32 Comments