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.

Forecast: The next I Bond fixed rate should be 1.20%

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Tipswatch

But there is danger of an ‘outlier’ decision by the Treasury. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It’s already Oct. 7 and we are closing in on Treasury’s November reset of the fixed and variable rates for U.S. Series I Savings Bonds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Print journalism: For me, it’s the end to an era

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Tipswatch

Newspaper companies once had a near-monopoly on local advertising. But the best businesses have to keep adapting. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Today, after 38 1/2 continuous years, I let my subscription to the printed Charlotte Observer expire. I hoped to … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Retirement | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Considering an I Bond rollover? Do it the right way.

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Tipswatch

For some investors, cashing in low-fixed-rate I Bonds makes sense, combined with the gift-box strategy to add to holdings in October. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com We are just a month and a few days away from the November 1 rate … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Inflation, Retirement, Savings Bond, Taxes, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Investing for safety: The era of 5% yields is ending

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com We knew this day would come, after enjoying 5% nominal yields on very safe investments for more than a year. But that era ended Wednesday when the Federal Reserve cut its federal funds rate by 50 … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank CDs, Cash alternatives, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, Treasury Bills, TreasuryDirect | 38 Comments

10-year TIPS reopening auction gets a real yield of 1.592%

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Too often, the bond market tricks you. It happened again Thursday in the wake of Wednesday’s “sort-of surprise” action by the Federal Reserve to cut short-term interest rates by 50 basis points. The initial (and expected) … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Reserve, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments