Category Archives: Cash alternatives

February inflation rose 0.3%, as expected. Is this our last ‘tame’ reading for awhile?

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The February inflation report, just released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, already feels like ancient news. The U.S. inflation picture has changed dramatically 11 days into March, with gas prices and other energy costs soaring … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

I Bond buying guide for 2026: Wait it out

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Last January, Series I Savings Bonds offered a fixed rate of 1.20% and had a lot of appeal. A year later, that fixed rate has fallen to 0.90%. Are I Bonds still relevant for investors seeking … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, Treasury Bills, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 57 Comments

The Savings Bond Calculator has a problem

Here is a guide to a workaround. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It’s a new year and I am sure a lot of investors in Series I and EE Savings Bonds are using TreasuryDirect’s Savings Bond Calculator to determine year-end values … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

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

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

Treasury sets I Bond fixed rate at 0.9%, composite rate of 4.03%

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com There were no surprises in this morning’s announcement of the new fixed and composite rates for U.S. Series I Bonds purchased from November 2025 to April 2026. Treasury followed its past practices, setting the fixed rate … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, EE Bonds, I Bond, Inflation, TreasuryDirect | 16 Comments