Category Archives: Cash alternatives

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

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.

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

I Bonds: A not-so-simple buying guide for 2023

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Note: I posted an updated I Bond analysis on April 14: Update, April 28, 2023: Treasury raises I Bond’s fixed rate to 0.9%; new composite rate is 4.30% After a year of raging-high demand, where do … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, Treasury Bills, TreasuryDirect | 93 Comments

Short-term I Bond investors: Be patient with your exit strategy

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Even before I Bond investors crashed the TreasuryDirect website in late October, many financial journalists were pondering this question: “How fast can you get out of I Bonds?” For example, this from MarketWatch in early October: … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | 66 Comments

Ignore the fixed-rate drama; buy I Bonds in October

The 9.62% annualized rate for six months is a huge advantage. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Here we are, in the U.S. Series I Savings Bond’s “limbo fortnight,” a period when we know the current composite rate (9.62% annualized, good for … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, Savings Bond | 49 Comments