Author Archives: Tipswatch

Unknown's avatar

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.

I Bond dilemma: Buy in April, buy in May, or don’t buy at all?

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Tipswatch

The I Bond’s fixed rate could rise to 0.6% or higher on May 1. Should you wait? Or look at alternatives? By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Update, April 28, 2023: Treasury raises I Bond’s fixed rate to 0.9%; new composite rate … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank CDs, Cash alternatives, I Bond, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | 77 Comments

March inflation report sets I Bond’s new variable rate at 3.38%

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Tipswatch

Annual U.S. inflation fell to 5.0% in March, but core inflation rose to 5.6%. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Update, April 28, 2023: Treasury raises I Bond’s fixed rate to 0.9%; new composite rate is 4.30% The just-released U.S. inflation report … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond | 50 Comments

After three months of volatility, where do we stand?

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Tipswatch

TIPS remain attractive. And now bank CDs are worth a serious look. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It’s been kind of wild to go from seeing the possibility of TIPS with a real yield of 2% in early March to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank CDs, Cash alternatives, ETFs, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Treasury Bills | 45 Comments

Here’s a surprise: CD rates are suddenly very attractive

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Tipswatch

But don’t go to your local mega bank. Look for better deals. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com For years, CD rates offered by banks and credit unions — even the aggressive online versions — have been stubbornly lower than rates paid … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank CDs, Cash alternatives, Treasury Bills | 52 Comments

Want to exit your I Bond investment? You’d better have a plan.

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Tipswatch

Aug. 6, 2023, update: The I Bond exit ramp is now open; proceed with caution By David Enna, Tipswatch.com For years, my constant advice about redeeming I Bonds has been this: “Don’t do it until you really need the money.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Savings Bond, Treasury Bills | 73 Comments